A Day at St.
James Global
Learning
Centre
What is the IB Primary Years
Program (PYP)?

With the IB PYP at St. James, we are
committed to structured inquiry as the
vehicle for learning. Six transdisciplinary
themes provide the framework for
exploration and construction of knowledge.
Teachers and students are guided by these
transdisiplinary themes—as the design units
of inquiry for exploration and study. Through
this process, students develop an
understanding of important concepts,
acquire essential skills and knowledge,
develop particular attitudes and learn to take
socially responsible action.
Primary Years Programme
So what does this all mean?
Transdisciplinary Theme: SHARING THE
PLANET
Central Idea: Species face extinction as the
world changes.
Lines of Inquiry:

Chronology of dinosaurs (periods and
species)

Extinct species

Causes for extinction

Geological timeline
How will we learn?

What are the learning experiences suggested by the
teacher and/or students to encourage the students to
engage with the inquiries and address the driving
questions?

Use dinosaur books to discuss different classifications and
similarities of dinosaurs.
 Have students discuss different theories of dinosaur
extinction, and why some animals are facing extinction.

Research two dinosaurs (each student) and learn about their
time on earth. Colour pictures of these dinosaurs and write
information gathered.

Make a poster about endangered animals.

Read about and discuss endangered species and discuss
what can be done to save them from extinction.

Discuss what are the similarities and differences between
endangered species
How will we know we
learned?
How might we know what we have learned?

What are the possible ways of assessing
students’ prior knowledge and skills? What
evidence will we look for?

Watch a documentary on endangered
species - teacher will note responses.

Discuss how humans effect the
environment – teacher will note
responses.

Make a KWL chart of what students knew
before the unit began, what they want to
know and what they learnt.
In the classroom
The classroom might LOOK like a traditional classroom,
but the SOUND is different. In a PYP classroom, teachers
are a facilitator of learning – guiding students through
authentic inquiry experiences based on the interests and
questions of the students.
What about math?