Dover 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 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: Action
Action: How do we want students to act?
In the Primary Years Program (PYP) it is believed that every student, every year, should have the
opportunity to take responsible action that is student-initiated and voluntary. As parents and teachers,
we can create an environment where there are possibilities for student-initiated action. (Making the
PYP Happen, 2009)
At Dover, Focus Friday goals and students’ learning in all subject areas connect students to the learner
profile attributes, IB attitudes and how peoples’ actions can affect outcomes in large and small ways.
Actions by students are usually small and arise from genuine concern and commitment. Students are
encouraged to consider the outcomes, accept responsibilities and determine next steps. Adults can
support students along the way by asking them questions that help them reflect and/or plan and to
realize that, sometimes, inaction is the best option. The Action Cycle visual can help students reflect
on actions and possible outcomes in their decision-making.
Taking Action: Students at Dover took action by
creating and presenting a skit to their
classmates about bullying and how stop bullying
at school.
February 8, 2016
Should you have any questions about the IB PYP at
Dover, please visit our website:
www.westlake.k12.oh.us/academics/global/IBPYP
or contact IB Coordinator, Dameon Headings, at
headings@wlake.org
Dover IB PYP News
Bagels With Barrett
A group of students were recognized on February 5th with an awards breakfast for exceptional effort
for being inquirers, cooperative and showing curiosity during January. Check out the “Bagels with
Barrett” display beside the school-wide POI, close to the front office and read about why these
students were selected by teachers and staff at Dover Elementary. Congratulations to those students
and parents for modeling our learner profile attributes and attitudes.
Focus Friday
On February 19, students will be introduced to the learner profile attribute: thinker and the IB
attitude: creativity. Staff members and teachers in the school will nominate a student who is being a
thinker and showing creativity during February. Students who have been nominated by a staff member
will be invited, with their families, to a bagel breakfast hosted by Mr. Barrett and Mrs. Erdman. Parent
letters will be sent home 3-5 days in advance so that all members of the child’s family are able to
make arrangements to celebrate and show support for our Dover students.
Students who are THINKERS work to solve problems independently. They can imagine many solutions to
a question or challenge. Thinkers make good decisions and can predict the outcomes of their actions.
They think creatively and critically.
How can parents help to develop students who are Thinkers at home?

Encourage your child to try to think of solutions to problems independently.

Pose different real-life problems and questions to your child.

Ask your children questions when they are working on a problem.
CREATIVITY: Encourage your child or children to be creative and imaginative in their thinking and in
their approach to problems and dilemmas.
I see … I Think … I wonder …
I see… I think… I wonder…
Practicing visual thinking skills with these images can be fun
and a quick activity, but it can also hone important skills that
transfer to other texts. Making sense of intriguing images like
these can be more like detective work than anything else:
Careful attention to detail rewards the viewer with a “big
picture” understanding.
Dover Mission Statement:
Dover Elementary educates for excellence by providing a safe, caring and challenging environment
that empowers all to be inquirers, problem solvers, global thinkers and life-long learners.
February 8, 2016