Understanding the Inquiry-Based Learning with the IB Primary Years Programme

​The schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate (IB) board in India offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to students up to Grade 5. Following the inquiry-based study units of this curriculum, students understand how it feels to be specialists in various fields – such as a scientist, an engineer, a mathematician, an artist and a historian.

In a classroom following the inquiry-based approach in the best IBPYP schools in Noida the focus is on everyday situations, problem solving skills, decision making abilities, investigation and action.

When enrolled for the PYP in one of the international curriculum schools in Noida, the students in age group of 3 to 10 years get to:

§  Explore, imagine and ask question while learning new concepts

§  Experiment and play with possibilities

§  Gather information and report their findings

§  Get clarifications on existing ideas

§  Sharpen their understanding by applying concepts and rules in subjects

§  Build and test theories

§  Predict results and act decisively to see the results

The key attributes of PYP in the best international school in Noida are:

A.    Concepts: What does the school expect the students to comprehend?

PYP’s framework has been built around a certain set of ideas that create a foundation of exploration in different disciplines. These concepts include:

§  Form: What is it like?

§  Function: How does it work?

§  Causation: Why is it like it is?

§  Change: How is it transforming?

§  Connection: How is it linked to other things?

§  Perspective: What are the points of view?

§  Responsibility: What is our duty?

§  Reflection: How do we know?

B.    Knowledge: What should the students know?

Through the PYP - which is also offered by some of the CIE schools in Delhi NCR – educators develop knowledge through 6 Units of Inquiry in every grade under the 6 transdisciplinary themes. The themes weave a subject’s content through the key curriculum domains of languages, maths, social studies, science, the arts, and PPSE.

The 6 transdisciplinary themes under the IBPYP are:

§  ​Who we are?

§  Where we are in time and place?

§  How we express ourselves?

§  How the world works?

§  How we organise ourselves?

§  Sharing the planet

On the basis of these themes teachers develop new programmes of inquiry. They enable children to investigate into new ideas and see that the students do get opportunities to explore each theme through some activity.

C.     Skills: What kind of abilities do we wish to see in students?

Students of an IB and Cambridge secondary school in Noida need to develop certain skills that help them overcome challenging situations and stay successful in a competitive world. They must also master myriad skill sets to organise themselves for their higher education after school. The PYP curriculum in IB world schools helps to develop social, research, thinking, communication and self-management skills – these are taught via controlled inquiry experiences in the Units of Inquiry.                                                                                         

D.    Attitudes: What are the learners expected to feel and value?

While following the PYP curriculum, students are expected to realise the significance of attitudes as a fundamental part of the programme. The PYP encourages attitude that reflects respect, tolerance, veracity, individuality, passion, compassion, inquisitiveness, originality, collaboration, self-confidence, commitment and gratitude. The curriculum offers plenty of opportunities to promote positive character traits.

E.     Action: What kind of behaviour do we expect in students?

Another objective of the Units of Inquiry in the PYP is to build learning experiences that motivate students to proactively apply new learning in their day-to-day life. They are inspired to reflect, make wise choices and act responsibly in the environment they live in – both inside and outside the school.

In a nutshell, the inquiry-based teaching and learning in the IB Primary Years Programme is engaging, important, stimulating and relevant for students who will become global citizens in their adult life. It fosters self-dependent and collaborative learners who know that they have voice, ability to choose and ownership of their own learning.

Author bio - Based in Noida, Amity Global School is a Cambridge International and IB World School offering globally recognized educational programmes. It is a part of the Amity Education Group. A disciplined approach to academics, sports and extra-curricular activities is the hallmark of the institution.