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
