The Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) is built around six transdisciplinary themes that provide a framework for inquiry-based learning. These themes are broad, globally significant, and allow students to explore the interconnectedness of knowledge across disciplines.
They are designed to help students develop a deep understanding of themselves and the world around them. These themes allow students to explore concepts that are meaningful and relevant to their lives, encouraging them to engage with big ideas that span across traditional subjects. This transdisciplinary approach fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a global perspective.
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
The ATL skills are designed to help students develop key skills for learning, both within and beyond the classroom. They support students in becoming independent, lifelong learners and align with the IB’s emphasis on holistic education.
The ATL skills are grouped into five broad categories:
This div reflects the student’s overall demonstration of skills development. These skills are integrated into all aspects of the IB curriculum, they help students approach learning in a structured and reflective way, preparing them for success in academic, and personal contexts.
Understanding of the Central Idea
The div outlines each unit of inquiry, the related integrated subject, and lines of inquiry. The PYP units incorporate various content and are evaluated using the New Brunswick curriculum standards for the child’s grade level.
For each unit or single subject, New Brunswick curricular standards are assessed using the ISNS PYP marking framework. This example includes the subject of English with specific teacher marks regarding oral language and written language for reading and writing. All PYP report cards have the structure for every unit and every single subject. (Arts, PE, Music, Mandarin)
The assessment descriptors, which follow a similar structure to those in New Brunswick, indicate the student’s current level of achievement and are designed to show growth over time.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER
Questions regarding your child’s develop should be directed to their homeroom teacher or single subject teacher.
ISNS teachers evaluate students using New Brunswick educational standards. The PYP program is used to enhance the pedagogical delivery of those standards and encourage deep inquiry and skills development.
The assessment descriptors are constructed to show growth over time rather than final grades. In this process, teachers consider each students’ rate of development and provide various ways for students to be assessed and show their knowledge and skills.
