Attitude

The overarching goal of the PYP programme is to develop internationally minded, balanced students. The teachers endeavor to do so by employing a holistic teaching method, recognizing that academics are only one part of a child’s education. The PYP written curriculum, as noted in the PYP publication Making the PYP Happen, is created so that students can acquire “essential knowledge and skills, development of conceptual understanding, demonstration of positive attitudes and taking responsible action”. These are referred to as the 5 Essential Elements of the Written Curriculum. The 5 Essential Elements was discussed this past week in the context of the Year 6 Exhibition.

Developing skills and ensuring students understand concepts are important, as I have touched on in recent newsletters. But, there is a vital focus on the development of “personal attitudes towards people, towards the environment and towards learning, attitudes that contribute to the well-being of the individual and of the group.” Including the attitudes as an essential element of the written curriculum signifies that the PYP “is making a commitment to a values-laden curriculum.”

In PYP schools, students should demonstrate:


Appreciation    Appreciating the wonder and beauty of the world and its people.

Commitment    Being committed to their own learning, persevering and showing self-discipline
                           and responsibility.

Confidence       Feeling confident in their ability as learners, having the courage to take risks,

                          applying what they have learned and making appropriate decisions and choices.

Cooperation    Cooperating, collaborating, and leading or following as the situation demands.

Creativity        Being creative and imaginative in their thinking and in their approach to problems

                         and dilemmas.

Curiosity         Being curious about the nature of learning, about the world, its people and cultures.

Empathy         Imagining themselves in another’s situation in order to understand his or her 

                         reasoning and emotions, so as to be open-minded and reflective about the 

                         perspectives of others.

Enthusiasm     Enjoying learning and willingly putting the effort into the process.

Independence Thinking and acting independently, making their own judgments based on reasoned 

                         argument, and being able to defend their judgments.

Integrity         Being honest and demonstrating a considered sense of fairness.

Respect           Respecting themselves, others and the world around them.

Tolerance       Being sensitive about differences and diversity in the world and being responsive to

                        the needs of others.


Dr. Michael Berry
Head of Primary