Where to start?

For schools, or those new to the PYP, some possible starting focus points may include (but are not limited to):

Attributes of the IB learner profile

• Becoming familiar with the language of the learner profile.

• Planning for learning engagements that support student understanding and growth with the attributes of the learner profile.

• Developing a school wide approach to introducing the attributes of the learner profile.

• Understanding the connection between the learner profile and international mindedness.

Examples of implementing the learner profile.

Approaches to learning

• Becoming familiar with the skills and subskills within the approaches to learning.

• Determining developmentally appropriate expectations for age groups/grade levels.

• Planning learning engagements that support student understanding and growth with the approaches to learning.

• Considering how to align approaches to learning with assessment practices.

Approaches to learning with teachers and students

Student agency

• Developing an understanding of student voice, choice and ownership.

• Thinking about ways in which student agency may be promoted throughout the school community.

• Planning learning engagements that foster student agency.

Additional ideas

Depending on the amount of staff new to the PYP, some coordinators choose to provide additional support for those who are brand new to the programme. This orientation may serve to:

• introduce the philosophy of the PYP.

• share common vocabulary and components from the framework of the PYP.

• Invite teachers to explore unit planners they may be implementing.

Teachers engaging with the PYP for the first time.