Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Developments in the PYP
By Jennifer Giddings, head of PYP
Overview of her presentation at the IB Latin America regional conference in Costa Rica, June 2008
Jennifer discussed some of the sections of Making the PYP happen: A curriculum framework for international primary education and Making the PYP happen: Pedagogical leadership in a PYP school, both published in 2007. She spoke about the changes and additions to the previous document, particularly the revised PYP planner. This planning tool ensures that all the essential elements of the PYP are considered during the collaborative planning process, that is a requirement in PYP schools. It is purposely no longer called “unit” planner as it is an effective planning tool to be used by all PYP teachers in planning student inquiries, whether they occur within the context of the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry or outside it. For example, the planner should be used for student inquiries in mathematics, some of which may be taught outside the transdisciplinary units. The realignment of the central idea directly with the summative assessment task and itsprincipal function in creating a deeper understanding of the transdisciplinary theme was also discussed.
Two new initiatives regarding assessment were described. Firstly, the first PYP workshop online is being tested. It has been collaboratively planned by experienced PYP workshop leaders. More information is available at http://tripleaworkshops.ibo.org. Secondly, a service to provide schools with feedback on their programme of inquiry is being piloted. Phase 1 of the pilot, involving twenty schools and ten assessors, will be completed in Dec 2008. Phase 2 of the Pilot will be rolled out in 2009. It is hoped that the data from the pilot will result in a new service being made available to schools.
To download the presentation please click here (PDF)
