The primary years programme consists of the Pre-K3 through the Fifth Grades. The goal is to teach the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.
The most significant and distinctive feature of the IB Primary Years Program are the six transdisciplinary themes. These themes are about issues that have meaning for, and are important to, all of us. The program offers a balance between learning about or through the subject areas, and learning beyond them. The six themes of global significance create a trans disciplinary framework that allows students to "step up" beyond the confines of learning within subject areas.
Six PYP units of inquiry (UOI) are tackled in each year from Grade Kindergarten-5, with Four PYP units of inquiry (UOI) in PK3 and PK4. Each Unit has a Central Idea, A “Big Question.” The UOI are designed around the trans disciplinary themes – to ensure learning of all traditional subject area knowledge and skills. Students are given the opportunity to develop self confidence in asking questions and learning.
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
Where Are We In Place and Time
An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories, homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
How We Express Ourselves
An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
How The World Works
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how human use their understanding of scientific principals; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment.
How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
Sharing the Planet
An inquiry into the rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things: communities and the relationship within and between them: access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
The six transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a program of investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth and usually last for several weeks.
Overview of the PYP at Boca Prep
The curriculum for Grades Pre-Kindergarten through Four is designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity while fostering the basic skills necessary for academic success. Small class size is integral to the realization of these goals. The low pupil-teacher ratio allows much individualized instruction and the opportunity to develop strong positive relationship between the faculty and the students. Much of the curricula and their related activities have our sense of Internationalism at their core.
All students are placed in a Math program which is advanced by one year. This ensures that they are prepared to have Algebra I in Grade 8 and follow the rigorous Math programs of the IB Diploma in Grade 11 and 12.The Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten Programs are academically challenging, with the mastery of Reading being an Essential Learning of the Kindergarten curriculum. Spanish is a core element of our Curriculum and the children meet with their Spanish teacher daily. Additionally, all students in the Lower School have classes in Art, Technology, Music, Swimming (in season) and Physical Education. Extension activities are available to those students with an interest in moving beyond the class curriculum in Math and Language Arts.
Fine Arts Programs and a Curriculum Fair are held each year in which the students have the opportunity to showcase their talents and progress. Field trips, guest speakers and formal motivational reading programs enrich the curriculum and are important to the success of the Lower School. The use of a reading enrichment program that utilizes computer technology allows the teacher to formally determine each child´s reading level and then to direct the student towards books at or above that level. Thematic and multi-disciplinary units encourage the child to see their academics in a real-world context and to begin to see the interconnectedness of the various disciplines.
The Academic Board meets regularly to discuss the Curricula school-wide and to develop strategies that will enrich the learning atmosphere in the classrooms. The Lower School Faculty meets frequently to discuss curricular initiatives and to coordinate the various programs.
More Information from IBO.org