International Baccalaureate

At Harding University Partnership School instruction is focused around inquiry-based curricula. We have developed our curriculum using the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Primary Years Programme. This inquiry-based program is for learners ages 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside, touching hearts as well as minds, and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development.

As an IB World School, H.U.P.S. is part of an international organization that offers high-quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools. IB’s programs help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Harding University Partnership School became an authorized IB World School, offering the Primary Years Programme, in the Fall of 2012 but the journey began in the spring of 2008.

The Primary Years Programme focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. It is defined by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning and international mindedness.

International Baccalaureate- Primary Years Program

For more information, click here to get to our IB website with information and videos on the Learner Profile, Units of Inquiry, IB at Harding, IB Policies, and student action!

What is the IB PYP Exhibition?

In the final year of the IB program, students participate in a culminating project known as the Exhibition. Students are required to engage in a collaborative transdisciplinary inquiry process that involves them in identifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life issues or problems. The central idea must be of sufficient scope and significance to warrant a detailed investigation by all students.

The PYP exhibition has a number of key purposes:

  • For students to engage in an in-depth, collaborative inquiry
  • To provide students an opportunity to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning
  • To provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple perspectives
  • For students to synthesize and apply learning of previous years and to reflect upon their journey through the PYP
  • To provide an authentic process for assessing student understanding
  • To demonstrate how students can take action as a result of their learning
  • To unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the PYP
  • To celebrate the transition of learners in the primary to middle/secondary education

What are the major features of the program that should be evidenced throughout the exhibition?

Learner Profile Becoming internationally minded means achieving application of the learner profile.

We strive to be: inquirers, risk-takers, thinkers, knowledgeable, communicators, caring, open-minded, reflective, balanced and principled

Key Concepts The key concepts should be shown through the use of key questions that guide student inquiry.

The key concepts include:

  • Form – What is it like?
  • Function – How does it work?
  • Causation – Why is it like it is?
  • Change – How is it changing?
  • Connection – How is it connected to other things?
  • Perspective – What are the points of view?
  • Responsibility – What is our responsibility?
  • Reflection – How do we know?
     

Transdiciplinary Skills Within the search for conceptual understanding of a student’s topic, it is important that the student develop appropriate skills in the construction of meaning.

These skills include:

Social Skills – Accepting responsibility, respecting others, cooperation, resolving conflict, group decision making and adopting a variety of group roles

Communication Skills – listening, speaking, reading, writing and non-verbal communication

Thinking Skills – Acquisition of knowledge, comprehension, application, synthesis, evaluation, dialectical thought and metacognition

Research Skills – formulating questions, observing, planning, collecting data, recording data, organizing data, interpreting data, presenting research findings

Self-Management Skills – gross motor skills, fine motor skills, spatial awareness, organization, time management, safety, healthy lifestyle, codes of behavior and informed choices

Action All students must complete an authentic and appropriate action project. This may take place at school or away from school with supervision and parent permission. Students are encouraged to think of a variety of ways to take action!

Mentors are always needed to help support the students in the exhibition process. If you are a community member, parent, teacher or volunteer we would love your help! Please e-mail pypcoordinator@sbunified.org if you are interested in supporting our Sixth Graders in this project.

Attached is the information about the responsibilities that mentors will have during this project. It takes place at the end of every school year.

Please see attached documents to view specific dates.