Al Bateen Academy's IB PYP framework within a Reggio-inspired approach

Ninetta Challita is the ‘PYP Coordinator and Head of Lower Primary’ at Al Bateen Academy. Ninetta has culminated over 20 years of experience within differing educational systems. Having worked with the Department of Education NSW Australia and various international IB-PYP schools, Ninetta firmly believes in the benefits of transdisciplinary teaching/learning and continues to work at collaboratively strengthening the Transdisciplinary Program of Inquiry at Al Bateen Academy.

Learning through an IB PYP framework within a Reggio-inspired approach.

What does the Primary Years Programme offer?

Learning is student-led, and inquiry-based. The Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework for learners between the ages of 3-12 years. The programme begins by fostering curiosity and developing a sense of the world around them by delving into 4 units of inquiry in the Early Years to 6 units of inquiry in the primary years. These units support real-life experiences and encourage students to take action to improve their local and global community. The Primary Years Programme supports students to problem solve and think outside the box. They are developing the skills to help them complete the rigorous IB DP exams at the end of their schooling. These leaving exams require students to problem solve and think unconventionally to develop unique answers to these problems. Collaborative work is highly regarded, and this is seen as an important requirement to strongly enter the workforce.

For further information about the IB Primary Years Programme, visit ibo.org

What is Transdisciplinary learning?

At Al Bateen Academy PYP, our units are transdisciplinary. Transdisciplinary learning is the connection of subjects through carefully planned learning experiences. These learning experiences explore relevant concepts, issues or problems and help students gain transferrable skills. Transdisciplinary learning allows students to see learning as a whole, rather than as an individually separated subject area.

Knowledge is transferrable and reflects real-life experiences. In real-life situations, we use all our knowledge from different subject areas to solve problems or meet our needs.

The units of inquiry are carefully planned and developed with the help of the PYP coordinator, teachers and students. We base our inquiry learning on students’ questions and even set-up centres in the Early Years to support children’s interests and help answer their questions. Students focus on research skills in each unit. Research skills are needed to support future learning.

Learning in an IB school is purposeful and meets the needs of society.

What is a Reggio Inspired Approach?

The Reggio Approach focuses on the whole child, while helping in establishing an identity and a relationship within nature and the world around us. Children enjoy learning through natural resources and spending the day learning inside and outside the class at their own pace, with continuous support from the adults within the room.

The environment is an essential part of a Reggio Approach. A nurturing, natural environment stimulates a love of one’s environment. The learning environment is an extension of one’s home and children are encouraged to use all their senses to learn. A Reggio environment treasures the ways in which children learn. We reduce the amount of technology and focus on building a love of nature through outside learning classrooms in a rich natural environment. Children are encouraged to learn through the outside environment as much as they would in the classroom.

‘Our image of the child is rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent, and most of all, connected to adults and other children.’ Loris Malaguzzi – is best known for his instrumental role in the creation and development of the Reggio Emilia approach.

What will you see in a school that fosters an IB PYP framework with a Reggio Inspired Approach?

You will see students taking part in real-life experiences such as daily problem solving, meal preparation, gardening, budgeting, discussions, collaborative planning for group projects, community action taking place and the care and nurture of people and the environment. We use natural, recycled and repurposed items as much as possible. This encourages children to grow an appreciation for our planet and to be conscious towards the environment.

A calm environment is developed through the Reggio Inspired Approach, which inspires children to be curious. Through an environment full of nature, we learn to count, read, write, be caring, internationally-minded and life-long citizens. The 10 IB Learner Profile Attributes (inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective) are strongly embedded in our daily learning and encourage a respect for the global community and themselves. Children are respected and learning is individually tailored. Teachers and children work together to develop the best possible learning experiences through mutual respect.

At Al Bateen Academy we believe in providing the PYP framework with a Reggio Inspired Approach where children are happy, life-long learners who feel respected and develop a passion for learning. Children are deeply present in every learning experience.

Join our Teddy Bears Picnic on Friday the 24^th May linked to here:  https://aldareducation1.my.site.com/SUMOScheduler/s/eventregister?eventId=00UUz0000082cJ7MAI