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. These 5 Essential Elements, developed throughout the IB PYP curriculum,
help students develop into IB learners who have the attributes of the learner profile: Caring ◊ Balanced
◊ Risk-takers ◊ Inquirers ◊ Thinkers ◊ Knowledgeable ◊ Communicators ◊ Open-minded ◊ Principled ◊
Reflective. Please read on to learn about the Essential Element: Skills
Skills: What do we want children to be able to do?
The Primary Years Program (PYP) identifies as set of skills considered valuable, not only within the
units of inquiry, but also for any teaching and learning in the classroom and in life outside the
classroom. (Making the PYP Happen, 2009) At Bassett, these skills are developed and used by students
in all aspects of their day. As students become aware of and proficient with these skills, we see them
applying them on their own as they work together, think, plan and solve problems. The skills are
listed in the table below. Check out the article at the end of this newsletter for a real-life application
of these skills in our student initiated “Cookies for Courage” service project.
Social Skills
Accepting
Responsibility
Communication
Skills
Listening
Thinking Skills
Research Skills
Acquisition of
Knowledge
Formulating
Questions
Comprehension
Observing
Application
Planning
Analysis
Collecting Data
Synthesis
Recording Data
Evaluation
Interpreting Data
Dialectical Thought
Presenting Research
Speaking
Respecting Others
Spatial Awareness
Writing
Resolving Conflict
Group Decision
Making
Adopting a Variety
of Roles
Non-Verbal
Communication
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills
Reading
Cooperating
Self-Management
Skills
Organization
Time Management
Safety
Healthy Lifestyle
Codes of Behavior
Metacognition
Informed Choices
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 (Jan. 12) a group of students was recognized with an awards breakfast for
exceptional effort in being inquirers and showing curiosity and cooperation during December. Take a
look at the display in the office window to learn more! Later that morning, Mrs. Spieth’s class
introduced thinker and creativity 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:
Thinker: Students will exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize
and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Activities for Parents:
 Encourage your child to try to think of/imagine solutions to problems independently.
 Pose different real-life problems and questions to your child.
 Ask your child questions when they are working on a problem:
1. “Do you have any ideas about how we can begin?”
2. “How can we do this differently?”
3. “I had never thought of that. Tell me more about it.”
4. “What other ways can we show that?”
Creativity Students can be encouraged to be creative and imaginative in their thinking and in their
approach to solving problems and dilemmas, with parents asking guiding questions and acting as
“sounding boards” to help them through the thought process, as needed.
Action as Service at Bassett
In December, Bassett students took meaningful action by participating in “Cookies 4 Courage”, a
Bassett Student Council initiative involving the entire Bassett community. It was an opportunity for
Bassett to THANK the police officers and fire fighters in Westlake and show appreciation for all that
they do to keep us safe. Over 288 donations of cookies yielded 30 shopping bags filled with cookies
that were delivered by Bassett Student Council members to Westlake Police and Fire Departments.
Bassett Mission Statement
Bassett Elementary School is a child-centered community empowered to develop responsible,
compassionate, globally-minded citizens who are lifelong inquirers dedicated to achieving
academic excellence.
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