Primary Years: Age 6-11
In the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), students are taught to understand that learning is a continual process of asking questions and looking for answers. Teachers work with students through a programme of inquiry to develop the students' understanding of concepts, skills, and knowledge.
BIS promotes "international mindedness". We support students to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective. These are the attributes of the PYP Learner Profile which forms the basis of everything we do in the PYP.
The Primary Years Programme provides an educational framework based upon what is currently known about how young children learn. It draws on the world's best practices in elementary school instruction.
Mathematics, Language, Social Studies and Science are all offered in homeroom classes. German, Art, Physical Education, Music, Information Technology are all offered by specialised subject teachers.
At BIS we value an understanding of concepts that are relevant and global. Throughout the school year, each class at BIS will focus on 6 Units of Inquiry. When at all possible, the different subjects are taught in the context of these units. This integrated approach makes learning meaningful and relevant. The units provide a framework for focused inquiry by the whole class but also allow the students to follow their own inquiries. The six transdisciplinary themes addressed each year at every grade level are:
- Who We Are
- Where We Are In Place And Time
- How We Express Ourselves
- How The World Works
- How We Organize Ourselves
- How We Share The Planet
BIS acknowledges that students have different learning styles and progress at different rates. As such the following are emphasised at BIS:
- A good command of basic skills (reading, writing and mathematics) because these skills are essential to conduct meaningful research, communicate effectively and participate in our society
- Sustained and meaningful inquiry into issues that are significant to the student, the wider community and the curriculum
- Independent learning
- Cooperative learning in which students interact with other students and members of the community
- Reflection on their own learning
- A student-friendly environment in which students feel free to express themselves and in which their contributions are appreciated
- Student initiative and creative thinking
- Students who can empathise with a variety of perspectives
The PYP also requires all teachers in the school to plan units of instruction and lessons collaboratively. This collaboration facilitates a carefully thought-out and sequential development of understanding, skills, knowledge, and attitudes.
If you require more information about the Primary School Programme, please do not hesitate to contact the Primary School Principal, Shireen Appana, at shireen.appana@bonn-is.de.
Parent Communication
BIS has a "one stop" communication center for its parents and students when it comes to the Primary Years Programme -- a series of wikis (on-line information portals) for each grade level. These contain all information regarding upcoming events, curriculum, homework, photos and class projects and are updated on a weekly basis.
Although these are password protected, you can click on the link http://digitalhub.bonn-is.de to get an idea of the look and feel of these communications channels.
