1. Information for Parents

2.  To provide you with information about the PYP Exhibition.  To suggest ways that you can help your child during the Exhibition.  To answer any questions you may have.

3.  The Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP student and school  It is a culminating experience that provides students with an opportunity to exhibit the attributes of the IB learner profile that they have been developing throughout their experience with the PYP

4.  It is an in-depth, collaborative inquiry.  It will require them to apply their learning from previous years.  It is an authentic process for assessing students.  It unites students, teachers and parents in a collaborative experience.

5.  The Exhibition will incorporate all six of the transdisciplinary themes. ◦ Who We Are ◦ Where We Are in Place and Time ◦ How We Express Ourselves ◦ How the World Works ◦ How We Organize Ourselves ◦ Sharing the Planet

6.  The Exhibition will incorporate all of the key concepts students have worked with throughout the year. ◦ Form – What is it like? ◦ Function – How does it work? ◦ Causation – Why is it like it is? ◦ Change – How is it changing? ◦ Perspective – What are the points of view? ◦ Responsibility – What is our responsibility? ◦ Reflection – How do we know?

7.  The Exhibition will incorporate all of the skills associated with the PYP ◦ Social ◦ Research ◦ Communication ◦ Thinking ◦ Self-Management (See Mrs. Gartner or the classroom teacher for a complete listing of the skills that fall under each of those five areas.)

8.  The Exhibition will incorporate the IB-PYP attitudes that students demonstrate daily. AppreciationEmpathy CommitmentEnthusiasm ConfidenceIndependence CooperationIntegrity CreativityRespect CuriosityTolerance

9.  The Exhibition is a Process, with an event at the end, rather than simply an event.  Students will engage in an 11 week endeavor, consisting of independent and collaborative research; goal setting; project planning and design; team meetings and meetings with outside mentors; reflection; written reporting; display planning and creation and optional expressive elements.

10.  During the week of April 28, 2014 Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet school will host a formal Exhibition where students will showcase their projects.  Student groups will be required to complete a written component (report) and a visual display.

11.  Throughout the process, students will be required to keep an Exhibition Journal that has been explained to them.  An Exhibition Timeline has been created with specific dates for various tasks/elements.

12. “Exhibitions are the best way to measure learning because they put the kids right in the midst of their learning.” ~ Dennis Littky We will assess the process more than the product.  Throughout the process students will self- assess and peer-assess using rubrics.  Mentors will provide feedback to teachers following their meetings with the students.

13.  Throughout the process the essential elements of the PYP will be routinely assessed o Concepts o Skills o Attitudes and Learner Profile o Knowledge o Action

14. There will NOT be one final ‘grade’ at the end.

15.  A great deal of the work will be done during class time. Students will be given opportunities to meet with their groups, to complete research and to meet with Mentors.  Occasionally, students will need to complete a task or research that is given as a homework assignment.

16.  If students do not manage their time effectively, they may need to meet with their groups outside of school to complete tasks as the end of the process nears.

18.  Completed in teams of 2-4 students.  Must incorporate an action that occurs as a result of their learning.  Independent and group reflection

19.  Presentation choices must include a visual, written report (with bibliography), and group presentation at minimum. (May be expanded on as approved by teacher).  Use of Transdiciplinary Skills – Creative and Critical Thinking Skills; Social Skills; Self- Management Skills (Time Management); Research Skills; and Communication Skills

20.  Support  Encourage  Ask questions  Listen  Provide assistance if needed (A parent doing any part of the work due to safety issues requires prior teacher approval.)  Don’t do the work for them  Celebrate successes  Attend the final Exhibition event!

21.  As with any inquiry, there will be times when it seems that students are not being very productive. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t and this is why meetings with mentors and teachers are vital to the process.  Students need time to wonder about things and consider their plans. This is why there is so much of an emphasis on journals. These help to show the processes they go through and their understandings.