An introduction to learning at RCHK

2013-14

The IB mission StatementThe International Baccalaureate Organization aims to

develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The RCHK mission Statement

• To seek. To serve. To strive.• Renaissance College Hong Kong (RCHK) is a

student-centred independent school.• Through a rigorous and holistic curriculum, the

college will develop global citizens who strive for excellence, appreciate the aesthetics and are empowered to take progressive action.

• RCHK strives to build a culture that promotes peace and democracy, values diversity and works towards a sustainable future for all.

Introduction to the PYP curriculum

The learner and Learner Profile are at the heart of

the curriculum

model

• The IB mission as learning outcomes• Shows the curriculum addresses the whole person• For the whole community• Not a check list of an ideal student – focus on the

process – learning to be• Only self/peer assessed

The IB Learner Profile The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

The IB Learner Profile

Caring

Reflective

Principled

Open-minded

Inquirer

Communicator

Risk-taker/ Courageous

Knowledgeable

Thinker

Balanced

jharmer@rchk.edu.hk

Exploring what the Learner Profile means to us….

Approaches to Teaching

Written Curriculum

Assessed Curriculum

Taught Curriculum

Action

Attitudes

Concepts

Approaches to learning - skills

The Written Curriculum - Essential elements of the PYP

What we want students to know?

ESF & IB Scope and Sequence Documents

• ESF – Maths/English/Chinese• RCHK – Science & Social

studies• PSE

• IB• PSPE• Visual Art• Music

What we want students to know?Transdisciplinary units

Whole school Programme of Inquiry (POI)

http://www.renaissance.edu.hk/content/pyp

Year 1 Units of Inquiry

What do we want students to understand?

Concepts are:• Universal • Timeless• Abstract • Represented by 1 or 2

words • Focus the inquiry

Key Concepts

Related concepts

How is a concept driven curriculum different?

• People• Countries• Wars• Treaties• Outcomes• Dates & Numbers

• Change• Causation• Power• Conflict• Peace

Topics and Knowledge

Concepts and big ideas

What do we want students to be able to do?

How do we want students to feel?

I care about people and places.

The attitudes in the classroom

How do we want students to act?

What might action look like?

Learning in action Advocacy• Posters• Sending petitions to local

government

What might action look like?

Direct Action• Year 6 Laos trip• Reusable mug service• Supporting the school fair

Indirect Action• Terry Fox Run• Philippines collection

What might action look like?

How can we start taking action?Start Doing Stop Doing

Do more of Do less of

How best will we learn?The Taught Curriculum

PYP at RCHK & Traditional schoolingContextual language development

Isolated language skills teaching

Resources representing multiple perspectives

Learning about host country and culture

Drill and practice

Transdisciplinary

Some stand alone subjects

Technology resources

Reliance on standardised tests

Focus on formative assessment

Students seated in rows, working individually

Students seated in groups, working collaboratively

Concept driven

Learning as the focus

Teacher as the focus

Assessment, recording and reportingProcess as the focus

Product as the focus

Knowledge drivenExplicit values

Hidden curriculum

One correct answer

Many correct answers

What does inquiry learning look like?

The Assessed Curriculum

How will we know what we have learned?

Formative assessment Summative assessment

Before End During

Pre-assessment

Assessment for learningAssessment of learning

If you wish to know more about assessment we will be running an information evening focused on assessment in January.

The purpose of Assessment is “to support student learning and help teachers better understand the progress of their learners.”

Reporting Method Date

Written report January and June

3 way conferences (target setting) October

Student led conferences (celebrating student learning) June

Portfolios/Evidence of learning

Between CNY-Easter

Meeting with teachers When needed

Reporting to parents

End of Year Outcomes

School website• http://www.renaissance.edu.hk/content/pyp

Subject specific and class weeblies/websites – please contact your child’s teacher for access

Helping your child at home

http://lirc.rchk.edu.hk/how-to-use-guides.html

Library resources to support you and your child

How can you find out more?

• Website: Learning at RCHK – PYP section. Eg. Learner Profile in Chinese, Programme of Inquiry• Future parent session – ASSESSMENT• IB website: www.ibo.org/pyp/• E mail questions to:

jharmer@rchk.edu.hk