Holly Lane 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. In September’s newsletter, the learner profile was defined as 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: Knowledge
Knowledge: What is the Programme of Inquiry (POI?)
The school’s Programme of Inquiry (POI) contains the curriculum for each grade level, K-4. Grade level content is
presented through inter-disciplinary Units of Inquiry in which students investigate a conceptually-based central idea
using the knowledge they have gained. Students, with teacher support, work independently and collaboratively to
build understanding and apply their knowledge in authentic situations.
Holly Lane’s Programme of Inquiry is posted in the hall
near the front office and shows the Units of Inquiry
each grade will cover.
Owls indicate the unit currently being studied, stars
indicate the units that have been studied.
Though units may be taught in different order in each
grade level, all grades complete 6 units of inquiry by
the end of the school year.
The Holly Lane Programme of Inquiry can also be
found at Programme of Inquiry - PDF
from the school’s website.
Should you have any questions about the IB PYP at Holly
Lane, please visit our website:
http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/academics/global/IBPY
P/Pages or contact IB Coordinator, Dameon Headings, at
headings@wlake.org
Holly Lane Programme on Inquiry
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October 9, 2015
Holly Lane IB PYP News
Wise Owl Wednesdays
Family involvement and support of student learning is key in the IB PYP learning environment. Holly Lane staff and
families can work together to help our students develop an understanding and the good habits of the Big 3: Be
Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe by promoting positive behaviors. At Holly Lane’s Wise Owl Wednesdays
assembly we introduced the IB attitude Empathy and learner profile attribute Caring.
Teachers and staff in the school will each nominate a student who exemplifies a highlighted attitude or attribute
during the month. Students who have been nominated by a staff member will be invited, with their families, to a
bagel breakfast hosted by Mrs. Verdone and Mrs. Foster. 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.
Each month we will concentrate on different attitudes and attributes that will be introduced at assemblies on Wise Owl
Wednesdays. Wise Owl Wednesday dates to note and remind your child to wear his/her Big 3 shirt (or Holly Lane spirit
wear) are:
Oct. 7
Nov. 4
Dec. 2
Jan. 13
Feb. 3
Mar. 2
Apr. 6
May 4
On Oct. 7, students will be introduced to the learner profile attribute: caring and the IB attitude: empathy. Staff
members in the school will each nominate a student who is modeling caring and showing empathy.
Here are some things you can do at home to encourage your child to demonstrate being a caring and showing empathy.
Caring & Empathy: Students show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others.
They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the
environment.

Role model the caring behavior you would like to see in your child all the time. Your child has big eyes and
ears and notices everything you do. Using kind words, helping people without being asked, being an active
listener all show your child that you care about people. Even a simple thing, like holding a door for someone,
shows your child that you are aware of others around you and want to help them.

After reading a book, spend some time considering how the people in the book acted. Was someone in the
book caring? All of the time or just some of the time? Were all the characters in the book caring or just some
of them? Some books to consider: Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, The Giving Tree by Shel
Silverstein, Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss, and The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.

Help your child understand another's perspective. For example, when your elementary-age child quarrels with a
friend, listen to her side of the story carefully and with empathy. Then say something like, "Hmm, that's unlike
Jenna to yell at you. I wonder if she was tired or if something else was bothering her. How do you think she
was feeling?"
Holly Lane Mission Statement:
The Holly Lane Community educates for excellence promoting an inquiry-based environment of internationallyminded individuals who become life-long learners.”
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October 9, 2015