PYP Learner Profiles – Grade 2: Culture is created by what people do and say
Last week, I wrote about science in the PYP classroom. This week, I would like to talk about another key part of our programme, the IB PYP learner profiles. The IB programmes want students to be open to the world and others, which the IB call ‘international-mindedness’. The learner profiles are a set of attributes that help students grow intellectually, personally, emotionally, and socially. By developing and showing these attributes, students can become caring community members who respect themselves, others, and the world.
The learner profile helps students become more aware of the world and take action to make it better. Students are encouraged to take charge of their learning, share their thoughts and reflect on how they are growing. At ABIS, there are many ways for students to show they are developing these skills.
For example, our Grade 2 students are currently completing their ‘Who We Are’ unit and this is proving to be a wonderful opportunity for them to learn more about the learner profiles and their importance to the culture we have created and value here at ABIS. The central idea for this unit is:
Culture is created by what people do and say
The Grade 2 team, Ms. Wendy Perry and Ms. Cora Brady, are giving students the chance to inquire more deeply into each of the learner profiles, focusing on different ones each week. As well as looking at the definitions and descriptions, the students are thinking about what showing these characteristics might look like or sound like, which helps them as they better understand the possible impacts of displaying these attributes inside and outside of the classroom.
The 10 learner profiles are:
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Inquirers
- Open-minded
- Balanced
- Risk-takers (Courageous)
- Principled
- Caring
- Reflective
As part of their language work, the students are sharing and enjoying a range of stories in which different characters show particular learner profile attributes and in their music class, they will be working to write the words to a song that teaches others about the attributes.
A favourite thing I have seen in class this week is a poster which quotes what Hoor said about the learner profiles and I think these words capture their importance for us all:
‘You are responsible for using the learner profile to help you be the best human you can be!’
A goal for us at ABIS is to help students to understand the value of the learner profiles and to help them realise that these are not just words on a wall but attributes they can show in their daily lives.
If you have any questions about the IB PYP programme, please do ask.
Matthew Richmond
Primary Years Programme Coordinator