This week has been a very active week for teaching I undertook the first science experiment for the class as well as tackling some PE and Math lessons. It was challenging and my area for improvement was to try and include more IB language into the classroom discussion and feedback. The school is relatively new to the PYP program and for me to fully succeed I want to ensure that they children become very familiar with the terminology.
My SA has been a great inspiration as she constantly peppers in IB language and it helps me see how I can use this in my lessons and throughout the day.
My School is fortunate to have many specialist teachers in Music, Mandarin, French, and PE which has allowed me to become fully integrated into the planning process during the prep blocks and how they implement their programme of inquiry into each class while aligning with the BC curriculum.
Steen, it was wonderful observing you teach a science lesson within the unit of inquiry. As you become more familiar with the IB philosophy and pedagogy, you will see that you are teaching the PYP as this programme is all encompassing and majority of subject areas are taught through this framework. Here is a task for you to consider, as we learn more about the 5 essential elements of the PYP, think back at the science lessons that you taught and try and identify how many elements you infused into the process. Try and think of the knowledge, concept, approaches to learning, attitude, and action components you are incorporating in a given lesson. Here is an example: in your experiment you covered the concept of form as you had students look at observable attributes. You also were teaching approaches to learning (research skills) as they were observing and recording data. What is also important is that you make the learning visible for the students and have them choose what approaches to learning they may using in their work right now. You will be surprised to see how intuitive they are! I am happy to have this conversation again when you make further connections!