travel
Of Chocolates and Surprises: A Teacher’s PYPX Musings
As a fifth-grade PYP (Primary Years Programme) teacher, I embark on a journey with my fifth-grade students through the IB PYP Exhibition every year. Whenever our calendar hits this time of the year, the atmosphere in the classroom undergoes a subtle shift, tinged with anticipation and purpose. There’s a palpable sense of heightened urgency and intentionality. The stress level also differs, but the excitement is conspicuous in the eyes of the students, teachers, mentors and parents. My ultimate hope each year is that my students will enjoy the journey, have an authentic inquiry and demonstrate agency in different ways.
This year’s exhibition theme in my school revolves around How We Express Ourselves. During one of our English Language Arts inquiries, we explored the vibrant and interesting world of figurative language. As part of our exploration, my class engaged in an Exit Ticket activity where they were tasked with interpreting a line from the movie Forrest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates.” Understandably, none of them was familiar with the movie, yet their responses were remarkably insightful. One response, in particular, stood out to me: “The quote means that life is full of surprises, just like the PYP Exhibition.” It dawned on me that the Exhibition is indeed as unpredictable and diverse as a box of chocolates.
The Exhibition, like a box of chocolates, presented a variety of topics, each student choosing a unique inquiry about the issue that intrigued them and the form of self-expression that would allow them to celebrate their personalities. At first glance, it appeared daunting, similar to staring at an array of assorted chocolates, unsure of which to pick. I watched them delve into subjects ranging from environmental sustainability to mental health, much like selecting different chocolates from a box. Just as life surprises us with unexpected flavors, my students encountered challenges in their research, navigating through the complexities of their chosen topics. Some faced the bitter taste of setbacks and lack of progress while others enjoyed the sweet satisfaction of finding solutions and breakthroughs. The Exhibition unfolded one phase at a time, revealing the depth of my students’ abilities, passions and even limitations.
Guiding the students through the Exhibition was akin to navigating the assortment of chocolates in a box, with each one requiring a different approach. Some needed gentle support, like the delicate truffle, while others demanded a firmer touch, much like unwrapping a resilient nougat. The process was a rollercoaster of emotions, reminiscent of the various tastes in a box of chocolates. There were moments of frustration and moments of joy.
Then came the Exhibition itself – a culmination of months of hard work and dedication. Like presenting a nicely wrapped box of chocolates, the students showcased their learning with confidence and pride. They spontaneously interacted with parents, teachers and visitors, explaining their inquiry and sharing their passion. From the side, I watched with a sense of fulfillment, much like when I had opened and eaten a box of chocolates.
When the Exhibition concluded, it can be said that it was a journey filled with surprises, challenges and, most importantly, the sweet taste of accomplishment. Through the IB PYP Exhibition, the students tasted the richness of knowledge, the sweetness of collaboration and the joy of discovery filled with endless possibilities waiting to be explored just like a delightful box of chocolates. Cliche as it may sound, the Exhibition is a reminder to us PYP educators that the journey of education is as diverse and delightful as the flavors our learners bring into the learning environment.
By:
Remmuel S. Santiago
Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher
Mentari Intercultural School, Jakarta
Exploring the Roles of Transportation in Meeting Human Needs
With the central idea “People use transportation to meet their needs”, the Kinder 1 students of Sekolah Monte Sienna expressed their enthusiasm as they inquire into the:
• different types of transportation
• the importance of transportation
• the impact of transportation on well-being
The students become actively engaged in this unit as they explore various modes of transportation, including buses, motorcycles, trucks, cars, and more. Notably, they become inquirers by actively examining different types of transportation used to reach various destinations. Throughout this unit, they participate in diverse and engaging learning experiences that promote inquiry and enhance their understanding on how a transport system works. This enables them to establish connections to daily life situations and comprehend how these systems fulfill human needs.
In the first week, the students begin by assessing their prior knowledge of the unit through visual presentations aimed at defining transportation. We delved into the initial line of inquiry, acquainting ourselves with various modes of transportation through observation and exploration within the school premises. With palpable excitement, students scattered around, eagerly identifying different forms of transportation. A particularly noteworthy moment occurred when we spotted a passing airplane, opening up a discussion on the diverse means of transportation spanning air, land, and water.
Learning about transportation extends beyond its physical form as it also includes exploring how it functions and how it serves the community. One of the best ways to deepen students’ understanding of the unit is providing them with the opportunity to interact with a school bus and closely examine its components. Our school driver enthusiastically guided the students through the functions of various parts such as lights, engine, wheels, seat belt, fuel tank, and more. The students expressed their excitement as the driver took them on a journey around the school premises aboard the bus. This hands-on experience became a memorable and impactful aspect of their learning journey.
As a facilitator, the teacher provides the space and materials needed to employ student agency. We encourage creativity by suggesting arts and crafts projects to create simple transportation using assorted materials. Students come up with their ideas and think about how they make it work. They are extremely excited to discuss together while making the product. They confidently presented their product to other grade levels to develop their communication, social and self-management skills.
This concept-based learning allowed the students to explore a variety of possibilities, and take into consideration others’ perspectives and their own experiences to conclude the need for various transportation based on the given situation. This is truly learning through play: agentic learning at its best!
Ms. Maria Arista
Kinder 1 Homeroom Teacher
maria.arista@montesiennaschool.com
Sekolah Monte Sienna
Batam City, Indonesia
PYP Dunia Blog 