Primary School Philosophy
  
The Primary curriculum works within the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). This programme is based on sound educational principles and up-to-date research into the ways children learn. It is concept-driven and has inquiry based learning at the heart. An inquirer "stands at the 'border of knowing and not knowing" (Wells Lindfors, 1999). Inquiry is essentially exploring, wondering, questioning, experimenting, researching and elaborating on solutions to problems. It involves the synthesis, analysis and manipulation of knowledge.
At ISM we believe it is important to:
- Recognise that each student develops in different ways at different rates and that each individual has a unique learning style.
- Determine the existing knowledge that a child brings to new experiences and build on that knowledge by enabling them to make connections to incremental pieces of new information.
- Encourage students to look at the 'big ideas', which drive our units of inquiry so that they can reflect on the connections between life in school, life at home and life in the world.
- Provide experiences, which support and stimulate a child's learning through active, hands-on activities, to engage with the environment in an effort to make sense of their world.
- Provide opportunities to practice problem solving, make decisions and take action.
- Instil in students a feeling of 'Internationalism', an understanding of what it means to be part of an international community where they are open to other people's perspectives and are empathetic to other people's situations.
- Encourage students to be independent learners and understand what it means to take responsibility for their own learning.
- Enable students to apply their learning appropriately to new situations
- Encourage students to seek out information, to interpret what they discover and explain those discoveries to others.
- Use a broad range and balance of teaching and assessment styles and methods to meet the varied needs of our learners.
- Offer structured learning support and provide challenge to the academically advanced.
- Support each student's capacity to develop individual talents, abilities, skills and attitudes.
- See our selves as part of a 'community of learners'where parents are involved in all aspects of their child's education and where peers are encouraged to support, and learn from, each other.
- Develop confident individuals with a love of learning who will be able to lead an active, healthy, productive and successful life.
It is our aim to develop the following student learning outcomes through the IB Learner Profile:
Student Learner Profile
Through the Primary Years Programme students are engaged in structured inquiry and are encouraged to become:
| Inquirers: |
Their natural curiosity has been nurtured. They have acquired the skills necessary to conduct, purposeful, constructive research. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained through their lives.
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| Critical Thinkers: |
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to make sound decisions and solve complex problems.
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| Communicators: |
They receive and express ideas and information confidently, in more than one language, including the language of mathematical symbols.
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| Risk-takers: |
They approach unfamiliar situations without anxiety and have the confidence and independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are courageous and articulate in defending those things in which they believe.
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| Knowledgeable: |
They have spent time in our school exploring themes, which have global relevance and importance.
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| Principled: |
They have a sound grasp of the principles of moral reasoning. They have integrity, honesty and a sense of fairness and justice.
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| Caring: |
They show sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a sense of personal commitment to action and service.
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| Open-minded: |
They respect the views, values and traditions of other individuals and cultures and are accustomed to seeking and considering a range of points of view.
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| Well-balanced: |
They understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well being.
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| Reflective: |
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and analyse their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.
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| Accomplished: |
They attain personal success in every task we endeavour to achieve, utilising our skills and knowledge to the best of our ability.
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| Committed: |
They demonstrate a strong sense of perseverance and determination in approaching and completing tasks, always working with excellence and sincerity.
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The students are made aware of each profile and how these fit together to create an 'Internationalist'. We actively encourage all our students to think and act with the profiles as the driving force of their thoughts and actions.
The following pdf documents are available to download:
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International school moshi
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PYP Programme of Inquiry