PYP Curriculum Overview

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a framework for learning and teaching that encourages students to be active participants in their learning, to gain deeper understandings of the world around them and to develop a core set of values.  In order to achieve this, the PYP programme focuses on the following elements:

Transdisciplinary Themes:  What do we want students to know?

The six transdisciplinary themes span across the grade levels and allow the students to explore local and global issues. They transcend subject areas so that students can make connections to important concepts.

  • 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

Each grade level teaches a different unit of inquiry within the transdisciplinary themes, so that by the time a student graduates from sixth grade, they have a complete understanding of each of the themes.

Key Concepts:  What do we want students to understand?

The seven key concepts provide a lens through which students will explore the six transdisciplinary themes.  The key concepts are not subject-specific and can be used to gain a deeper understanding of any subject area.

  • Form:  What is it?
  • Function:  How does it work?
  • Causation:  Why is it like it is?
  • Change:  How is it changing?
  • Connection:  How is it linked to other things?
  • Perspective:  What are the points of view?
  • Responsibility:  What is our responsibility?

Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills:  What do we want students to be able to do?

The five approaches to learning (ATL) skills are incorporated into the units of inquiry. They have opportunities to practice these skills throughout each school year and over the course of their education at Running Springs Elementary.

  • Communication skills
  • Thinking skills
  • Social skills
  • Research skills
  • Self-management skills

Learner Profile:  What do we want students to embody?

The Learner Profile consists of 10 attributes that make an internationally-minded citizen.  There are opportunities for the students to develop these attributes throughout each school year and over the course of their PYP education.

  • Balanced
  • Communicator
  • Caring
  • Risk-Taker (or courageous)
  • Thinker
  • Principled
  • Open-Minded
  • Inquirer
  • Reflective
  • Knowledgeable

To learn more about the PYP programme, visit the IB website at www.ibo.org or email Brandi Gower, PYP Coordinator, at bgower@orangeusd.org.