Beginning the new school year as officially authorized IB schools, we welcome new families as well as those returning to Mount Daniel and TJ.  A warm welcome also goes out to Dawn Schroeder, the new PYP Coordinator at Mt. Daniel who comes to FCCPS with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Fortunately for us the person who filled this position last year, Beth Green, will still be contributing to our schools as one of our TAAP Coordinators.

At a session of the IB Mid-Atlantic Summer Academy, held this past August at George Mason High School, a presenter made the comment that the PYP is just common sense. On hearing these words, those of us attending the workshop experienced somewhat of an epiphany. Could explaining the PYP to new teachers and parents be that straightforward?

There's no doubt that implementing the Primary Years Programme is a process that takes time and effort to fully understand. However, viewing the PYP as a common sense approach to improve student learning is helpful in making sense of how the program works.

First and foremost, it's common sense to foster the ten traits of the IB Learner Profile. Striving to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective can only have a positive impact on learning. Our sense of community as a school system is further enhanced in that all of our schools promote the IB Learner Profile.

It's common sense for teachers to collaborate on a written curriculum that includes knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action. It's sensible for each of our schools to display their curriculum framework, serving as a system for organizing and communicating the content of units investigated at each grade level. It also makes sense for teachers to work collectively rather than in isolation, creating common assessments and reflecting on outcomes. Maintaining student portfolios is yet another practical practice for showing evidence of individual student progress over time.

An inquiry approach to instruction is common sense, promoting student engagement and encouraging our children to take responsibility for their own learning. In questioning, experimenting, making connections, researching and solving problems, students at Mt. Daniel and TJ are practicing and applying their understanding of the Standards of Learning across disciplines.

The Primary Years Programme is a solid and sensible approach to improving learning for all of our children. Here's to a school filled with common sense and active learning!

As November approaches, TJ Tigers are finishing their first units of inquiry and moving on to the next PYP theme. For a look at what inquiring minds at TJ are exploring in their second units, read on!

Grade Two: Through the theme of "How We Organize Ourselves", second graders are focusing on the concept of change as it relates to community life. Students are making sense of the central idea that the systems people use to organize themselves may change over time, affecting the community. While covering state standards that include changes in community life over time in terms of buildings, jobs, transportation and population, students are also considering how these elements of the community are connected. The learner profile traits of being knowledgeable and reflective are integrated into this unit.

Grade Three: In their second unit of inquiry explored through the theme of "Where We Are in Place and Time," third graders are learning about the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. Students are making sense of the central idea that investigating the past helps us to better understand the present and plan for the future. State standards include the study of the physical and human characteristics of these ancient civilizations, as well as human adaptations to the environment. How people in ancient civilizations used resources and how their contributions have influenced the present world are also being analyzed. The learner profile traits of being inquirers and open-minded are integrated into this unit.

Grade Four: Through the theme of "Where We Are in Place and Time", fourth graders are investigating Virginia history with a focus on the settlement of Jamestown. Students are making sense of the central idea that investigating human migration allows us to explore survival strategies that impact individuals, groups and the environment. While learning state standards that focus on aspects of the Jamestown settlement, students are further exploring the challenges and impact of human migration .The learner profile traits of being open-minded and risk-takers are being emphasized.

You can participate as partners in the PYP on several different levels. If you have an area of expertise that connects with the curriculum, please consider volunteering as a guest speaker. Any artifacts or books from home on topics being investigated could be shared. Encourage your child to ask questions and guide them in finding answers. Last, but not least, please report any action initiated by your children as a result of their inquiring minds!

Next month, stay tuned for an update of what inquiring minds at MD are exploring.

Mary Kay Howard, PYP Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson Elementary

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