INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)  - Primary Years Program
 

The Woodlands Preparatory School is pleased to announce its authorization as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program World School as of August 2010.

The Lower School employs a multi-faceted approach to learning, teaming
academic challenges with “real life” experiences for the children. Combining
multi-sensory methods to content areas allow the students to “see it, do it,
and touch it.”

The units of study are project based in kindergarten, and multi-disciplinary
in grades one through four. Overarching concepts direct the areas of
study that promote asking essential questions that generate interest
and excitement in the process of determining answers. Teachers also
consider student readiness levels, learning styles, and interest for
their students and incorporate specific strategies that focus on
needs and academic challenge.

Opportunities for learning are not limited to the classroom, and a
comprehensive approach incorporates perspectives from art, music,
science, global awareness and daily physical education, as well as off-campus
field trips.

Character education and community service are integrated into all areas of school life from the classroom to the playground. Whether it’s singing with senior citizens, making care packages for our troops or donating books for a children’s library in Galveston after Hurricane Ike, the students have awareness of others that goes beyond the campus walls.

 

What is the PYP?

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. The PYP draws on research and best practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant, engaging, challenging and significant educational framework for all children.

Curriculum Framework

At the heart of the programme’s philosophy is a commitment to structured, purposeful inquiry as the leading vehicle for learning.

Six transdisciplinary themes of global significance provide the framework for exploration and study:

• who we are
• where we are in place and time
• how we express ourselves
• how the world works
• how we organize ourselves
• sharing the planet

Teachers are guided by these six transdisciplinary themes as they design units of inquiry that both transcend and articulate conventional subject boundaries.

The six transdisciplinary themes surrounding six subject areas:

• language
• social studies
• mathematics
• arts
• science
• personal, social and physical education.

The transdisciplinary themes and subject areas outlined above form the knowledge element of the programme.

The five essential elements - concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes, action, are incorporated into this framework, so that students are given the opportunity to:

• gain knowledge that is relevant and of global significance
• develop an understanding of concepts, which allows them to make connections throughout their learning
• acquire transdisciplinary and disciplinary skills
• develop attitudes that will lead to international-mindedness
• take action as a consequence of their learning.

IB learners strive to be:

* Inquirers
* Knowledgeable
* Thinkers
* Communicators
* Principled
* Open-minded
* Caring
* Risk-takers
* Balanced
* Reflective

Who can offer the programme?

Only IB World Schools (schools authorized by the IB) and candidate schools can offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP).