Elevating Your PYP Planning: A Practical Guide to Inquiry Learning Progressions

In the Primary Years Programme (PYP), inquiry is the beating heart of our pedagogical approach. But how do we effectively map, monitor, and document the complex, non-linear growth of inquiry skills in our students? More importantly, how do we move students from simply doing inquiry to truly understanding how they learn? This is where the Inquiry Learning Progressions come into play.

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Reflections from the IB Global Conference: Our Humanity, Connected

Last week in The Hague, I had the privilege of joining thousands of fellow educators for the IB Global Conference. The theme, "Our Humanity, Connected," was far more than just a slogan on a banner; it was a pedagogical call to action that resonated through every session I attended. I walked away with a mind buzzing with ideas, but more importantly, with a clear, actionable thread connecting them all.

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Beyond the Mandate: Building World-Class PYP Scope & Sequences in the Absence of National Standards

As PYP coordinators, we often grapple with the question of external standards. While the PYP provides an incredible framework for how students learn, the 'what' can sometimes feel fluid. A common question I hear is: "What are the main standards your schools are using/find comprehensive and PYP-compatible?" The truth is, there's no single "right" answer. However, for schools, particularly those in Europe or anywhere not bound by a national curriculum, this freedom presents a golden opportunity to build something truly exceptional.

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From Human-Centered to World-Wise: A Practical Guide to the New IB PYP Theme Descriptors

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has updated the descriptors for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Transdisciplinary Themes, and it’s more than just a change in wording—it’s a meaningful evolution in perspective. If you're a PYP coordinator or teacher, you might be wondering what this practically means for your programme of inquiry and classroom practice. This guide unpacks the "why" behind the shift and, most importantly, the "so what," offering practical takeaways to help you confidently navigate this transition and enrich your students' learning.

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Beyond the Slides: Weaving a Collaborative Narrative in the PYP Exhibition Workshop

After every workshop I lead, I find myself sketching out a ‘director’s cut’ in my mind. It’s a familiar process for any facilitator, I’m sure. You reflect on the moments of genuine breakthrough, the sparks of collaborative energy, and you think, "How can I capture that magic and make it the core of the experience next time?" The PYP Exhibition workshop, a cornerstone of our practice, is a space ripe for this kind of refinement.

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Tech Tools in Tiny Hands: Smart Ways to Use Technology in Your Primary Classroom

The digital world is all around us, and our primary learners are growing up as digital natives! Integrating technology into the classroom can be incredibly exciting, offering new ways to explore, create, and learn. But with so many apps, tools, and devices, how do we choose what’s truly effective and not just a fun distraction? That's where a little bit of "teacher thinking" with frameworks comes in handy!

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On the PYP Coordinator’s Desk: From Good to Great – Sharpening Your Central Ideas with a Concept-Based Lens

Hello everyone, I'm writing this with a mind still buzzing with ideas and a notebook full of scribbles. I’ve just returned from two incredible days at the Bavarian International School’s City Campus, wholly immersed in a "Concept-Based Inquiry in Action" workshop led by the amazing Carla Marschall. We will ask ourselves:What attributes do we find in a concept-based curriculum?

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***25-26 ElemMathChat Schedule

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Reflections & Resources: Elevating the “Building Your IB Primary Years Programme” Workshop

Elevate your IB Primary Years Programme workshop! Get reflections, redesigned resources & practical tips for better PYP facilitation and participant engagement.

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Driving Student Agency with Goal-Setting: A Learner-Centered Approach

Drive student agency with learner-centered goal setting. Learn practical strategies, including WIN Time and co-creation, to empower students by focusing on the learning process over the product.

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Bayern Munich win 2024/25 Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich are 2024/25 Bundesliga champions, reclaiming the title from Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen with two games to spare.

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I installed Linux (so should you)

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The Writing Process: Supporting Student Choice and Bridging Balanced Literacy with the Science of Reading

Wondering how to improve your writing instruction and support student choice? This article covers the writing process, mentor texts, and bridging balanced literacy with the science of reading.

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Inquiry-Based Learning in Primary School: A Synergistic Approach

Discover how inquiry-based learning, combined with concept-based inquiry, empowers primary school students. Explore inductive approaches, transdisciplinary learning, and UDL

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The Power of Early Intervention: Investing in a Child’s Future

Struggling with dyslexia in your school? Learn how WIN Time can be a game-changer! This flexible, data-driven approach allows for personalized instruction, early intervention, and targeted support. Read more about how to implement these strategies and empower your students! #dyslexia #WINtime #education #specialeducation #readingintervention

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1.5K views · 49 reactions | Well miss you Grade 12! Good luck 💕🎓 | Bavarian International School

Well miss you Grade 12! Good luck 💕🎓.

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The Approaches To Learning (ATLs)

The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. The IB is a widely recognized education system. It prepares students for success in a global context. The ATLs are designed to be incorporated into all subject areas. They are meant to be taught and assessed alongside content knowledge. The ATLs teach students how to learn.

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Updated Transdisciplinary Theme Descriptors

The transdisciplinary themes remain the same and continue to be central to the structure of the program of inquiry (POI). The descriptors have moved from commonalities of human experience to a balance between human and natural worlds. Schools can begin using the new theme descriptors now. By September 2027, all PYP schools will be required to be using the new descriptors.

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Making Knowledge Construction Visible

Navigating the Inquiry Continuum: A Comprehensive Guide to Using SOLO Taxonomy and Visible Thinking Routines Effective teaching demands a delicate balance between guided instruction and open inquiry. It ensures that students receive the necessary support. This approach also nurtures independent thinking and exploration. Educators can use the SOLO Taxonomy and Visible Thinking Routines effectively. This guides students through a transformative journey.

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The Hundred Languages of Children: A Resonant Harmony with the IB Learner Profile

The Reggio Emilia approach, with its powerful metaphor of the "Hundred Languages of Children," provides a compelling framework for understanding the diverse ways children learn and express themselves. This philosophy posits that children possess a multitude of intelligences and ways of knowing that extend far beyond traditional verbal or written language. These "languages" encompass a rich tapestry of expressive forms, including:

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Book Creator’s Be An Author Month: Nurturing Young Storytellers

Book Creator's Be An Author Month is a wonderful opportunity to empower primary students to discover their inner authors. This initiative guides young learners through the entire writing process. It starts from brainstorming and goes all the way to publishing, celebrating the power of their individual voices. Introducing Personal Narratives For primary students, personal narratives are a great starting point. These stories, rooted in their own experiences, allow them to connect with writing on a personal level.

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Cat 1 - Building Your IB Programme: Primary Years - Educationist

I’ve recently co-facilitated this as a 2-day cluster workshop, and I’d like to share my experiences and offer some resources to help others. What Went Well: Adjustments Needed: Resources I’m …

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Donald Trump’s quote sends shivers through Norway - Hell on Earth Metal Zine

On 15 February 2025, United States President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social and Twitter: "He who saves his country does not violate any law." The White House later reposted the statement on Twitte...

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