Bassett IB PYP News What is 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 the IB PYP, students develop knowledge and conceptual understanding, as well as the skills, attitudes and attributes that help them to be life-long, self-motivated learners. Students construct understanding through structured, purposeful inquiry, allowing them to apply what they have learned in real-world, high-interest situations. Bassett has been recognized as an IB Candidate School for the past 2 years. On November 10-11, 2014, a team of two IB PYP educators will come to evaluate Bassett’s progress in order to recommend Bassett for recognition as an Authorized IB PYP World School. 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 What is the learner profile? The IB learner profile describes the IB mission in student learning objectives. Students strive to become learners who are Caring ◊ Balanced ◊ Risk-takers ◊ Inquirers ◊ Thinkers ◊ Knowledgeable ◊ Communicators ◊ Open-minded ◊ Principled ◊ Reflective. These are known as the 10 attributes of the learner profile. All that we do in a PYP school is focused on the goal of becoming learners who show the attributes of the learner profile. IB Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. 1 Bassett IB PYP News Family Involvement and Totally Awesome Tuesdays Family involvement and support of student learning is key in the IB PYP learning environment. As partners, Bassett staff and families can work together to help our students develop. Through Bassett’s Totally Awesome Tuesdays promoting positive behaviors, we will be concentrating on specific IB attitudes and learner profile attributes each month, starting on Sept. 29 with respect, cooperation and principled. Students will strive to show respect and cooperation and be principled. Adults in the school will each nominate a student who exemplifies a highlighted attitude or attribute during the month. You can encourage your child at home in some of the following ways: 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: 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. Respect: Students respect themselves, others and the world around them Model respect in how you speak and act to your child and others Recognize and encourage respectful behavior in your child, using the word respect with your child If your child shows disrespect, ask if what he/she did was respectful and suggest he/she think of a more respectful way to speak or act Cooperation: Students cooperate, collaborate and lead or follow as the situation demands. Model cooperative behavior when working with your child and others Recognize and encourage cooperative behavior in your child, use the word cooperative in positive ways If your child is not being cooperative, ask, “Are you being cooperative?” or “How could you be more cooperative?” or “Wouldn’t this work better if we cooperate?” 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. Westlake City Schools Mission Statement We Educate for Excellence…Empowering all students to achieve their educational goals, to direct their lives and to contribute to society. 2