You've asked, we answered (Primary Years) #3

By Ms. Susan Anderson

Following the Primary Years Parent Information Evening, please find below the questions you've asked and Ms. Anderson's answers:

Q: How will you assess the performance of each teacher?

A: In addition to my front page explanation I attend collaborative planning meetings each week with each grade and as the year progresses assessment data will be analysed.

Q: What are the specific occasions for child leading learning i.e. when children choose what to learn themselves?

A: In each unit of inquiry students are given the opportunity to tell what it is they want to learn about the central idea. There will be occasions when students are asked to choose a topic or  idea, etc to research and then present. Students are encouraged to choose different strategies to solve problems and are given a range of options to communicate their learning.

Q: Is there any place for IRT theory in your assessment system at school and how?

   A: The math in focus assessments include some questions requiring this kind of response and we are actively investigating potential external assessments that will provide us with authentic data that is relevant to our goals.

Q: How can parents follow a child's progress and learning?

A; Formal data points that will provide evidence of progress are the written school reports and parent conferences. Assessment data will be shared as well as a child's progress through the learning phases. Newsletters will provide general class content and we are planning to launch an interactive communication platform, Seesaw, where each child will build a learning portfolio.

Q: How do the children demonstrate their ideas (differently) You mean they express their ideas in different ways, drawing, writing or asking the preferred way?

A: Tasks and assessments, throughout a unit of work, are planned to give the students the best opportunity to show their learning and therefore will be varied as to what students are required to do.

Q: How will parents have access to the assessment results after each unit?

A: This is a process we are refining.  

Q: As a parent I would benefit from some tips on how best we can support our children's education in an IB programme since most of us grew up in a stringent education curriculum.

A: This is good to hear and going forward focussed parent workshops will be initiated.

Q: How do you find out if the student has more interest in one activity over another?

A: Student interest is evaluated through structured observation and building positive relationships where students are able to articulate personal preferences. Perspective is one of the IB Learner Profile attributes and children are coached as to how to best articulate an opinion.

Q: How you intrigue curiosity in Science?

A: The Programme of Inquiry, at each grade level, includes Units of Inquiry that have a specific science focus. Engagement in the scientific process is fostered through hands on experimentation and exploratory activities which are key elements in the PYP. As children unpack universal central ideas and are encouraged to apply various thinking techniques there curiosity is fed.