Portledge in the Now.

PYP Update, November 19th, 2023

Welcome back to the PYP Corner! In this edition, we examine one of the fundamental Learner Profile attributes of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) – being “communicators.”

What Does It Mean to Be a Communicator?

Communication is a skill that goes beyond language. It’s about expressing ideas, understanding others, and fostering meaningful connections. Being a communicator in the PYP involves expressing thoughts clearly, active listening, multilingual competence, understanding non-verbal communication, and collaborating effectively in group settings.

Living It In Real Life
Encouraging our students to be communicators isn't just about classroom learning; it's a way of life. At home, parents can support this attribute by:
  • Encouraging open dialogue for your child to express themselves.
  • Reading together to promote language development.
  • Exposing your child to multiple languages if possible.
  • Modeling effective communication in your interactions.
  • Encouraging artistic expression through drawing, painting, journaling or other creative activities.
  • Engaging in team activities like board games to teach collaboration and communication skills.
We would love to hear how your child has exemplified this attribute at home! Please share your stories with PYP Coordinator Colleen Burke at cburke@portledge.org to inspire our school community!

PYP Spotlight: Kindergarteners’ Collaboration Community
This week, we are celebrating our incredible kindergarteners who have embraced the theme of community and collaboration with exceptional enthusiasm. In their PYP Transdisciplinary learning unit, these young minds explored how communities work together to succeed.

In literacy, the kindergarteners dove into the charming world of Snippets by ​​Diane Alber. Snippets is a story that reveals the power of kindness and the beauty of being unique. This story proves that you can change the world one “snippet” of kindness at a time. Through collage art, students used paper scraps to craft houses and buildings, transforming their snippets of paper into a visual community. The kindergarteners came together as a team to design, map out, and plan their entire community of both human-made structures and natural features. You can witness the fruits of their labor on display in their classroom! The vibrant "Community Town" bulletin board proudly represents a collaborative masterpiece reflecting the unity of and effective communication in the kindergarten classroom.

Our budding communicators even extended their learning into French! After learning the names of shapes and colors, they labeled their community in a language that reflects the multicultural fabric of our school. Bravo!

Another remarkable hands-on experience unfolded in their science exploration. Students faced the challenge of completing a giant 33-piece puzzle without talking. Does that sound simple? They also had a 10-minute timer ticking! The result was a testament to their extraordinary communication skills. They found new ways beyond verbal exchanges to piece the puzzle together seamlessly.

As we celebrate these young communicators, let's appreciate how their experiences fostered not only language skills but also a deep understanding of the importance of effective communication in building a thriving community.

Stay tuned for more inspiring tales from our PYP journey. If you have a story to share or would like to nominate a student for the PYP Spotlight in the future, please email PYP Coordinator Colleen Burke at cburke@portledge.org.

Until next time, keep the communication channels open!

Colleen Burke, PYP Coordinator
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