Hilliard IB PYP News
What are the Essential Elements of the IB PYP?
IB = International Baccalaureate
PYP = Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is an educational framework that
focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer. The learner profile describes the IB
Mission Statement in student learning objectives. The development of the learner profile attributes in
students is supported and nurtured through the 5 Essential Elements of the PYP: Knowledge, Concepts,
Attitudes, Skills and Action.
Building on Prior Knowledge
In the Primary Years Program (PYP), we use the Program of Inquiry (POI) to organize learning
horizontally, across each grade level, and vertically, throughout grades K-4. Each grade level covers 6
units of inquiry per year. You can see the POI in the hallway, near the school library. Stars indicate
the current unit of inquiry in each grade. Completed units are labeled “complete”. State
standards for all subjects are organized into the units in one of 6 transdisciplinary themes. Learners use
the key concepts to connect topic in the various subjects. The learner profile, IB attitudes and skills,
as well as opportunities for action, are incorporated into the units.
Each year, teachers and the IB coordinator reflect on their grades’ units, and the POI as a whole, to
make sure each year’s learning experiences build on previous ones and lay the foundation for future
learning. This collaborative reflection on the part of educators ensures that students are prepared for
what is next and can make connections to what they have learned in the past, helping them develop a
depth of understanding of the content, concepts and the skills they need to be successful.
Hilliard Mission Statement
Hilliard Elementary School educates for
excellence by providing an environment
that promotes globally-minded,
compassionate, lifelong learners who are
knowledgeable and socially responsible
citizens.
Should you have any questions about the IB
PYP at Hilliard, please visit our website:
http://wlake.org/academics/global/IBPYP/
or contact IB Coordinator, Deb Wadden, at
waddend@wlake.org
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Hilliard IB PYP News
Pawsitive Tuesdays
On Pawsitive Tuesday (April 12) a group of students was recognized with an awards breakfast for
exceptional effort in being balanced and showing commitment during March. Take a look at the
display in the library hallway to learn more! Later that morning, 3rd grade students introduced
principled and integrity at a school-wide assembly. Here are some things you can do at home to
encourage your child to demonstrate these attributes and this attitude:
PRINCIPLED: Students act with integrity and honesty and a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect
for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions
and the consequences that accompany them.
Activities for Parents:
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Involve your child in deciding on the rules for a game or activity and then ensure that they stick to
the ones that have been decided upon.
Encourage your child to play games that involve teams. Discuss with your child the qualities of a
team player. What sort of person would they want on their team?
When your child wins a game insist that he or she is a well-mannered winner. They might want to
thank their opponent or shake hands with them if that is appropriate.
When playing a game, don’t change the rules or let your child win. Being a gracious loser is just
as important as being a good winner.
INTEGRTY: Students strive to be honest and demonstrate a considered sense of fairness. Parent
modeling and support of fair-minded behaviors are key.
Around Hilliard
In their Where we are in place and time
unit, 1st graders applied the key
concept of connection to fractions by
making visual representations of
fractions. Connecting a visual
representation to the written fraction
makes thinking visible, deepening
understanding.
In their How we organize ourselves unit
of inquiry, 2nd graders looked at types
of organizations and their impact on
communities, as well as slogans used to
persuade consumers to make certain
choices. They applied their learning to
advertisements they created.
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4th graders work collaboratively to
share ideas about causation in
their Sharing the planet unit of
inquiry as they reflect on nonfiction reading selection and
create a Venn diagram comparing
and contrasting types of spiders.