Niko Lewman[slideshow_deploy id=’1032′]
I can’t believe that we are already in our final week of the G5 PYP Exhibition, but what exactly is PYP Exhibition? IBO defines the PYP Exhibition as part of the assessed curriculum as:
The PYP Exhibition: encouraging in-depth, collaborative inquiry
https://www.ibo.org/programmes/primary-years-programme/curriculum/assessed-curriculum/
in addition in Exhibition guidelines
As a culminating experience it is an opportunity for students to exhibit the attributes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile that have been developing throughout their engagement with the PYP.
In the students’ final year of the PYP, which occurs in some schools at age 10–11 and in others at age 11–12, there are five units of inquiry and the exhibition*. The exhibition unit takes place under any transdisciplinary theme at the discretion of the school. Students are required to engage in a collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry process that involves them in identifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life issues or problems. The central idea selected must be of sufficient scope and significance to warrant a detailed investigation by all students.
Exhibition Guidelines 2008
Therefore the PYP exhibition has a number of key purposes for us here at KIS. As an IB World Continuum school as we prepare our students’ educational journey through all three programmes:
- for students to engage in an in-depth, collaborative inquiry
- to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning
- to provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple perspectives
- for students to synthesize and apply their learning of previous years and to reflect upon their journey through the PYP
- to provide an authentic process for assessing student understanding
- to demonstrate how students can take action as a result of their learning
- to unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the PYP
- to celebrate the transition of learners from primary to middle/secondary education.
These eight points work as a cornerstone to frame our understanding of the PYP Exhibition. To promote student agency and to offer them opportunities to share their passions, PYP exhibition is by nature planned to be a very open/free inquiry with our teachers and mentors facilitating the student planning.
Facilitators role during the exhibition is to coach their students to perform at their peak level and to make sure that students have shown their knowledge, inspiration, and spirit throughout their learning process.
During exhibition, there is a
| Increased emphasis on: | Decreased emphasis on: |
|
Flexible timetabling within an extended time frame |
Fixed timetabling and time frame |
|
Range of assessments developed with students with input from other members of the community |
Teacher-determined assessment and feedback from teacher only |
|
Students reflecting on and keeping evidence of learning throughout the process |
Students showing final products |
|
Personal responsibility, management and accountability by students |
Teacher management of student input and involvement |
|
Community-based inquiry: working with and presenting to the school and wider community |
School- or classroom-based inquiry: inquiry process and presentation limited to class or grade level |
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Teacher as facilitator and observer |
Teacher as instructional leader |
|
Utilizing a range of teachers, mentors, advisors, specialists |
Classroom teacher(s) as sole advisor/expert |
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Student empowerment—direct student involvement in selection of issue, development of central ideas and planning, organization and presentation of the inquiry |
Teacher/adults responsible for selecting the topic and planning the inquiry |
The KIS core values align and validate the importance of our exhibition as a process.
Knowledge
Students at KIS are able to interact with a rigorous and dynamic international curriculum developing the knowledge, skills and characteristics that will support them in the pursuit of their goals and in becoming lifelong learners in an ever changing and diverse global community.
- students to exhibit the attributes of the IB learner profile
- all the key concepts; an understanding of the key concepts should be demonstrated by the application of key questions throughout the inquiry process
- students should develop and apply skills from all the transdisciplinary skill areas in their exhibition inquiry
Inspiration
KIS provides a safe and supportive environment where students and community members are encouraged to be creative and passionate about learning, share their ideas and inspire each other to be their best.
- offer the students the opportunity to explore knowledge that is significant and relevant
Spirit
The KIS spirit is evident in every aspect of the community and provides a sense of belonging. It can be seen in actions taken to encourage and help each other, and in providing service in the local community and beyond
- offer opportunities for students to display attitudes that relate to people, the environment and their learning; these attitudes should be evident throughout the process
Exhibition guidelines 2008
Inspiring Individuals
For me the most important part of this journey though is for the students to find their own voice and seek out to the world, to make connections that will make a lasting impact on their opinions and ideas. Our goal, of course, is to take meaningful action
This all is evident in our exhibition as you walk through these busy learning areas and observe the dedication and passion that is displayed as we are gearing up for our Exhibition day
I am so proud of all our groups for making the connections with the UN 2030 SDG’s, the convention on the rights of the child, and their own issues and interest. Thank you for a wonderful journey, now let’s celebrate it #PYPX2018
