Bassett 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 front hall of the school. Stars indicate the
current unit of inquiry in each grade. Checkmarks indicate completed units. 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.
Bassett Mission Statement
Bassett Elementary School is a childcentered community empowered to
develop responsible, compassionate,
globally-minded citizens who are lifelong
inquirers dedicated to achieving academic
excellence.
Should you have any questions about the IB
PYP at Bassett, please visit our website:
http://wlake.org/academics/global/IBPYP/
or contact IB Coordinator, Deb Wadden, at
waddend@wlake.org
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Bassett IB PYP News
Totally Awesome Tuesdays
On Totally Awesome 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 office window to learn more! Later that morning, Mrs. Erdman and a group of 4th graders
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 Bassett
As part of their study of the ways we
interact within systems in their How we
organize ourselves unit of inquiry,
student engaged in a Mock City Council
experience in which they elected
representatives and a mayor and voted
on problems facing the school
community.
As part of their study of influential
people in their Where we are in place
and time unit of inquiry, students
designed postage stamps for their
biography subject that included the
learner profile attributes and IB
attitudes they felt described their
subject, based on their research.
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After reading a story about using
their imaginations in their How we
express ourselves unit, students
decided they could create their own
toys and activities, too. Some of
them brought in their creations to
share. This is one of many
examples of student-initiated action
that we celebrate in the classroom.