Teaching What is Worth Knowing

“For any subject taught in primary school we must ask (is it) worth adults knowing, and whether having known it as a child makes a person a better adult” Jerome Bruner

The Primary Years Program believes that teaching and learning should be significant, relevant, engaging and challenging for all students. Learning that is relevant and significant is connected to the real world, and is worth knowing and exploring. Significant ideas and concepts are global and have many perspectives to explore. Each grade level learns through six units of inquiry for between 4-6 weeks. These units allow students to explore outlined ideas and concepts in depth, and in ways that are personal to each learner.

Engaging students within the PYP is about helping students see how things are related to them, and then exploring these connections in ways that work for the individual. Students learn through inquiry, manipulating scenarios, asking questions and collaborating to further their understanding.

We try to make all learning challenging by providing opportunities to extend student learning, ask questions and pursue self-directed inquiries.

Here are some of our guiding questions when planning for learning:Does this knowledge/concept have enduring value beyond the classroom?
Does it allow students to explore issues of local, national and global significance?The Primary Years Program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural respect and understanding. Here at Spicewood we support this goal through relevant, engaging, challenging and significant teaching and learning!