Holly Lane IB PYP News
The Exhibition
IB = International Baccalaureate PYP = Primary Years Programme
In the final year of the PYP (4th Grade), students participate in a culminating project, the PYP
exhibition. The exhibition requires that each student demonstrates engagement with the five essential
elements of the programme: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action. It is a
transdisciplinary inquiry conducted in the spirit of personal and shared responsibility, as well as a
summative assessment activity that is a celebration as students move from the PYP into the middle
years of schooling.
The exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesizing the
essential elements of the PYP, and sharing them with the whole school community. It is an opportunity
to exhibit the attributes of the learner profile that have been developing throughout their engagement
with the PYP.
PYP Exhibition has a number of key purposes.
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For students to engage in an in-depth,
collaborative inquiry.
To provide students with an opportunity
to demonstrate independence and
responsibility for their learning.
For students to explore multiple
perspectives.
For students to synthesize and apply
their learning of previous years, and to
reflect on their journey through the PYP.
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PASSION LEADS TO INQUIRY: Students in Mrs.
Piazza’s class begin organizing their passions around
how environmental awareness can impact the
society.
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May 13, 2016
To provide an authentic process for
assessing student understanding.
To demonstrate how students can take
action as a result of learning.
To unite students, teachers, parents and
other members of the school community
in a collaborative experience that
incorporates the essential elements of
the PYP.
To celebrate the transition of learners
from primary to middle education.
Should you have any questions about the IB
PYP at Holly Lane, please visit our website:
http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/academics/g
lobal/IBPYP/Pages or contact IB Coordinator,
Dameon Headings, at headings@wlake.org
Holly Lane IB PYP News
Holly Lane Exhibition
Holly Lane 4th graders have started the process of exhibition, their final unit of inquiry. Using varied
resources, including Chromebooks and resources from Porter Library, students are currently working in
groups to research how environmental awareness impacts decisions by humans which in turn leads
to taking action. Throughout the inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite
resources with other people and with other living things, students will be gathering an understanding
how our awareness of the environment locally and globally impacts our decisions and choices.
4th grade students will be inquiring and gathering an understanding into a variety of issues locally and
globally based on their interest. Some of these topics/issues are: global warming, air pollution, water
pollution, endangered species, fossil fuels, poaching endangered species, fracking, food safetychemicals in meat and vegetables, deforestation, contamination of drinking water, ocean littering,
landfills, solar power and forest conservation.
Fourth grade students at Holly Lane will be sharing their learning of how environmental awareness
impacts decisions by humans which in turn leads to taking action on June 1st.
Top Notch Tuesday
A group of students were recognized on May 3rd, with an awards breakfast for exceptional effort for
being principled and showing integrity during April. Check out the “Top Notch Tuesday” display beside
the front office and read about why these students were selected by teachers and staff at Holly Lane
Elementary. Congratulations to those students and parents for modeling our learner profile attributes
and attitudes.
Wise Owl Wednesday
On May 4th, students were introduced to the learner profile attribute: balanced and the IB attitude:
commitment. Staff members and teachers in the school will nominate a student who is being balanced
and showing commitment during May. Students who have been nominated by a staff member will be
invited, with their families, to a bagel breakfast hosted by Mrs. Verdone. 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 Holly Lane students.
Holly Lane Mission Statement:
The Holly Lane Community educates for
excellence promoting an inquiry-based
environment of internationally-minded
individuals who become life-long learners.
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May 13, 2016