The IB Continuum Part I: The Primary Years Programme

The following article was written by Aaron McKinnon, PYP Coordinator.

Greetings! This letter represents the first in a three part series explaining the continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs implemented at Riverstone, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP).

The Primary Years Program (PYP) at Riverstone provides a framework for students to experience unique transdisciplinary learning. Transdisciplinary learning breaks down the barriers between traditional academic subjects to create a more holistic understanding and provides opportunities to solve complex problems that don't fit neatly into any one discipline. Students build conceptual understandings and develop personal attributes framed within six themes of global significance. Each grade approaches the themes with unique perspectives and at different times of year. The six themes include:

• Who we are.
• An exploration of the nature of self; of our beliefs and values; of personal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual health; and of our families
• Where we are in place and time.
• An exploration of our orientation in place and time; of our personal histories; and the discoveries, explorations, and migrations of humankind.
• How we express ourselves.
• An exploration of the way in which we discover and express our nature, ideas, feelings, beliefs, and values through language and the arts.
• How the world works.
• An exploration of the physical and material world; of natural and human-made phenomena; and of the world of science and technology.
• How we organize ourselves.
• An exploration of human systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision making; and economic activities and their impact.
• Sharing the planet.
• An exploration of rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and access to equal opportunities, peace, and conflict resolution.

These transdisciplinary themes provide learners with authentic experiences and the opportunity to explore real-world problems that extend beyond subject boundaries. Built on a foundation of inquiry, a transdisciplinary based curriculum also leaves room for compelling and unexpected ideas, with the ability to follow and make deep connections with questions students ask and encounter.

Each IB school implementing the PYP builds on the same themes, but in their own unique way, allowing teachers and students to craft something special for each theme. For example, during the initial Grade 5 unit under “Sharing the Planet," students explored the idea of how urbanization redesigns the balance of ecosystems within our own Barber Valley location. In addition to all the in-class work and investigations, students had the following experiences to supplement and complement their understanding and inquiry: 

• Payette River rafting trip, 
• Foothills hike to observe the valley, 
• Service learning at Bogus Basin, 
• Downtown art tour with the Riverstone art teacher, Gina Lagattuta, 
• Hands-on Boise River science investigation with Boise Watershed Watch, 
• Guest speakers, 
• Overnight camping and learning experiences at Intermountain Bird Observatory,

Many things make Riverstone a unique and special school. Participation in the IB is definitely one of them! Riverstone is one of the few World Schools in America that implement the full continuum of IB programs.