1. Southlands Elementary School
International Baccalaureate World School Primary Years Program

2. 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. The IB 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.

3. What is a PYP Education?
educational framework that focuses on inquiry-based learning (asking questions and searching for answers)
encourages a learning process that emphasizes natural curiosity and making connections
students are taught to understand that learning is about asking questions and seeking answers, which may lead to new, more complex questions!
local curriculum is organized into the PYP framework
transdisciplinary approach to learning (integrating subjects when appropriate)

4. Who is the PYP for?
inclusive education – all children in the school are part of the PYP, regardless of their learning needs
addresses academic, social, and emotional well-being of every child
encourages students to develop independence and take responsibility for their own learning

5. What is a typical PYP day?
some direct instruction in reading, writing, and math
units of inquiry, with a main focus on science, social studies, fine arts, and/or health and careers
French language instruction twice a week
on-going assessment and reflection, by teachers and students (no external IB exams)
group-work and individual work
daily physical activity

6. PYP Learner Profile
aim of the PYP is to develop internationally minded students who help to create a better and more peaceful world
traits of the learner profile are:
inquirers open-minded
knowledgeable caring
thinkers risk-takers
communicators balanced
principled reflective

7. PYP Written Curriculum
knowledge: significant, relevant content
concepts: powerful ideas that have subject significance but also connect to other curricular areas
skills: transdiciplinary capabilities students need to succeed in a changing, challenging world
attitudes: expressions of fundamental values, beliefs, and feelings about learning, the environment and people
action: demonstrations of deeper learning through responsible action

8. Knowledge: (Transdisciplinary Themes)
units of inquiry are planned under six transdisciplinary themes, which repeat each year:
Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organize ourselves
How We Share the planet

9. Key Concepts: form: What is it like?
concepts shape the units of inquiry and give them direction and purpose:
form: What is it like?
function: How does it work?
causation: Why is it like it is?
change: How is it changing?
connection: How is it connected to other things?
perspective: What are the points of view?
responsibility: What is our responsibility?
reflection: How do we know?

10. Concept-based Learning:
instructional focus is on concepts rather than themes or topics, and is expressed through a central idea:
Rather than:
Memorize and locate the rivers, bodies of water, and mountains in British Columbia. Inquire into:
Geographic features may determine where humans settle.
Rather than:
Research bear facts: types of bears, what they eat and where they live.
Inquire into:
Animal habitats are affected by human behaviour.

11. Skills: (Approaches to Learning)
students are given opportunities to develop transdisciplinary skills needed for academic and personal success:
thinking skills
social skills
communication skills
self-management skills
research skills

12. Attitudes: appreciation empathy commitment enthusiasm
students are encouraged to develop the following attitudes towards people, the environment, and learning:
appreciation empathy
commitment enthusiasm
confidence independence
cooperation integrity
creativity respect
curiosity tolerance

13. Action:
something students choose to do as a result of their experiences, because it is important to them
students, staff, and families are encouraged to use a cyclical process, called the Action Cycle
by reflecting on learning, social situations, and behavioral issues, students can make a choice and take action

15. For more information: Southlands School website:
IB website: