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Dear Parents,

As we transition into an IB school you will notice some of our focus has shifted from the "typical learning" that you are used to.  With this shift we are going to be navigating learning through a global perspective.

Part of this transition includes an enormous amount of planning to ensure that lessons prepared meet the rigorous standards that you are familiar with while also incorporating the learner profile to develop student thinking in a way that will enhance all future learning opportunities.   Our ultimate goal is to help students "learn how to learn" by using the ten learner profiles and the transdisciplinary themes.

I plan on doing a zoom session to review the learner profiles and show you how we tie these into high level thinking by reviewing a unit plan.

Thank you for your continued support!

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Toni, I would first provide the attributes to the parents. Then give information on how these profiles help their child become a well-rounded life long learner.

Example:

The IB profiles are a set of learner attributes that the IB program aims to develop in students. These attributes include being inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

Here are some advantages of the IB program and how we can work together to make that home school connection:

Collaboration between parents and teachers: Become actively engaged and reinforce the skills and attitudes promoted in the IB program.

Reinforcing lifelong learning skills: The IB program emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, communication, and inquiry.

Consistency in expectations: By being  aware of the attributes parents can encourage and reinforce those qualities in their child's daily life.

Global Focus: Parents can expose their children to diverse cultures, encourage language learning, and support activities that promote an appreciation for different perspectives.

The goal of teaching these IB learner profiles is to create a shared language and understanding between parents, educators, and students. It strengthens the collaboration between home and school, and supports character development.

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Hussain should introduce the learner profile by showing a list of all the attributes and reading them, but then proceed by going into detail with two attributes each day over a period of a week. Each day the two new attributes are defined and the students either read a book, or the teacher reads a book to the students, and they choose which attributes are revealed through the story.

I found a great website he could use that the lists books that align with the learner profile attributes. It is called Brilliant IB PYP Books.

Students will search for and share the justification in the book for the chosen attributes. Sometimes there is more than 1 attribute demonstrated in the book. Then, as they do this each day , each student completes a chart with each attribute listed, the book it lines up with and the evidence in the book that led them to the chosen attribute. A class chart can also be displayed in class for future easy reference.

To address the attributes he feels are not well aligned to the culture of his students he can hold a discussion with students after the book reading. The question can be posed, "Where in our community do you see this attribute being strong or weak?" or "In what scenarios in our community do you think this attribute applies"? He can then direct students to go home each night and ask the students to share the new learned attributes with parents. There can even be a column on the charts the students have been completing to list any contributions parents have to the list of community connections to the newly learned attributes of the day.

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Dear Parents,
Our students will be learning using Transdisciplinary Themes. This idea is intended to give your child a broad view of topics and an understanding of real-world problems beyond the boundaries of our communities because real-world problems have no boundaries. This year your child will build their understanding of these themes and document their learning in an online notebook that you will have full access to. I encourage you to take advantage of this resource so that you will have the opportunity to watch your child learn, grow and become internationally minded.

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Toni Handout- Kudia Zorrilla Underwood Jones

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The first week of school Hussain should at first introduce IB Learner profiles and the overall concept of it. (Or this actually may come from administration of the school since it is a school wide thing). The next following few weeks, he could create a Newsletter featuring the attributes. He could Give the definition, examples that they can learn from (using prior student's experiences through interviews or provide a link to a video or read aloud summarizing the specific attribute for that week, etc...) Have students work on this at home with their parents. They would document how they are putting the attribute into action outside of the school setting (which I would think they are already doing and they just dont even know it! ) For the younger students who struggle with coming up with ideas and understanding what is being asked, you may create a board with various options of ways to have the students practice these profile attributes at home. Students create a type of "journal" to share with their class in a small group or large group setting showing what they did for each for the 10 learning profiles. This would be a part of the first weeks of school home activities as it will allow parents to understand what students will be learning about in more detail throughout the coming months of the school year.

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The learning profile is part of the school through interactions in a variety of learning spaces: in the library, music room, makerspace. Some resources students can use include: FlipGrid, PowerPoint, Sway, Padlet, create a poster,3D art piece, written responses, comic strips and so much more.

But also, our learner's profile is met through social interactions: break/recess and lunch, and sports. Also don't forget interest groups, after school activities, during field trips, interschool sports events, camps and through school events (assemblies, drama productions, sports days).  At home and in a students' interactions with family, friends, local businesses sports clubs, interest groups all support a student's learning profile. There are a multitude of ways our students are learning each day. It's another perspective.

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The goal of IB programmes = international-mindedness in our way of thinking, being and acting!  :)  We desire our students to be open to others and to the world, despite our differences. We are deeply inter-connected.  :)   Our students will be given opportunities to inquire into human commonalities. Being willing to see beyond local boundaries is essential for intercultural understanding. We are excited about implementing PYP for our students!  :)

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Dear Toni,
I appreciate your desire to clarify to parents why the learner profile is beneficial to all students. It is hard for parents to adjust to a new way of thinking about school and learning. All schools have standards and assessments, but we go beyond the classroom and prepare students to relate concepts worldwide. Our approach encourages students to be open-minded and inquisitive. Students who question things/concepts are thinkers and enjoy learning. Our learner profile will help each student both while in our school and when they are out in the "real world".

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Weekly powerpoint/email home featuring one attribute. Included in the powerpoint/email would be a definition of the attribute, how it connects to what students are doing at school, and a short video of a read aloud [picture book] for families to watch/listen to together. I would also include pictures of student work/students in action from the classroom that connects to that attribute. - Beckie Cossum

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My suggestion is to start by explaining to parents the IB program and how the attributes of the learner profile work hand in hand to help their child become a well-rounded and International-Mindedness student.  This explanation can be done through a short teacher made video link or handout that is sent home at the beginning of the school year.  I would also ask parents to complete a survey with their thoughts on which attribute is a strength for their child and which attribute they would love to see their child grow and strengthen throughout the year.  Next steps could include sending home a weekly/monthly newsletter that spotlights a different attribute each time along with “shout outs” of students showcasing that attribute in school throughout the week or month.  The newsletter could also include IB resources for parents that connect to the attribute of the week/month.  A home/school connection piece could include a home log or graph of the learner profile with the definition of each attribute in which parents and students can log when they see their child using that attribute at home or around the community.  This would give students an opportunity to share with their peers during class meetings how they used an attribute of the learner profile during their extra-curricular activities and interactions around our community, which would give students an opportunity to learn more about each other outside of the classroom setting.

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Parents Listen Up! Do we want our children to grow up and not have the attributes of being caring, principled, and open-minded? Take a look around us today!! If we had more adults that would display some of the attributes I will teach your children--they could grow up in a world filled with peace, understanding, and acceptance! Let's work together to grow our future leaders because they are more than a test score!