Primary School PYP Curriculum
Children spend most of their day in self-contained homeroom classes. Inside this supportive environment, the homeroom teacher works together with an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher and an ICT Integration Specialist to facilitate learning through Units of Inquiry and in Literacy and Mathematics.
Grade 1 classes have an additional teaching assistant to support learning in this first year of Primary. Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) topics are presented by the school counsellor and the homeroom teacher.
David Guarnieri
Primary School Principal
Carmela Scalia
Vice-Director
& PYP Coordinator
Units of Inquiry
Learning in the Primary Years Program (PYP) is underpinned by six transdisciplinary themes, each selected for their importance in the real world. Young learners explore these themes using concepts, knowledge, and skills from different subject areas, helping them to see the relevance of and connections between these subjects. All Science and Social Studies is taught through the Units of Inquiry and elements of Personal and Social and Health Education, Physical Education, Art, Music, Mathematics, Literacy and Italian Language are utilised as they are relevant.
Transdisciplinary Themes
How we express ourselves
Inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
How the World Works
Inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
Sharing the Planet
Inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Who we Are
Inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; person, physical,
mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including
families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities;
what it means to be human.
How We Organize Ourselves
Inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and
communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal
decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind
and the environment.
Where We Are In Place and Time
Inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
All units are centered around a Central Idea with Lines of Inquiry that structure the scope of the unit. Teachers use carefully designed provocations and questions to spur student engagement and involve students in formulating their own questions and ideas for activities. Teachers ensure that students develop specific understandings, knowledge, and skills and support them to take meaningful action.
Homeroom Subjects
Literacy
The literacy program at Ambrit focuses on a balanced approach to literacy, enabling students to use their language skills in purposeful, meaningful ways. The program challenges students to read, write, listen, and speak effectively in order to communicate with others. Based on the PYP Language scope and sequence, a strong language connection is embedded in all areas of the curriculum, especially the units of inquiry. Direct reading instruction provides students with developmental strategies for phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Writing units are genre-based in order for students to develop a range of writing skills. The classroom activities are rich in listening and speaking opportunities where children present and learn from each other.
Mathematics
The Ambrit mathematics program requires students to persevere and reason as they engage in rich, authentic tasks where they make sense of and apply mathematical concepts. Based on the PYP Math scope and sequence, the Ambrit Math curriculum has five strands; Data Handling, Number, Shape and Space, Measurement, and Pattern and Function. Each strand is divided into four developmental phases with conceptual understandings and specific knowledge and skills at each grade level or phase of learning. Some mathematical concepts are integrated into the units of inquiry while others are taught in a stand-alone manner. Critical areas are identified in each grade level in order for children to build a strong foundation in their mathematical learning.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The EAL program at Ambrit aims to assist students whose first language is not English, in becoming competent users of the English language so they can participate fully in the social and academic life of the school. English language learning is not intended as a replacement for the student’s home language(s) but as an additional language. Through differentiated support options, the EAL teachers collaborate with class teachers to facilitate the integration of all English language learners into mainstream classrooms.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Today’s children are growing up in a world increasingly dominated by technology and media. Ambrit’s ICT philosophy aims to empower students and enable them to become competent and responsible users of technology through the integrated use of current hardware and software.
To this end, ICT at Ambrit is treated as a means of achieving the desired result rather than as a subject whose skills are taught in isolation. ICT lessons are a close collaboration between the class or subject teacher and an ICT Integration Specialist, selecting the best tools to extend learning, through research, documentation, coding, robotics and the visual communication tools.
Students have access to Chromebook/Macbook carts, sets of iPads in each classroom and additional Mac desktop computers. Students also have access to Beebots, Botleys, Microbits, Lego Mindstorms EV3, Lego Spikes, Arduinos, 3D Printer, etc…
Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE)
Personal, Social, and Physical Education (PSPE) is concerned with the development of knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to personal and social well-being in order to make healthy life choices. The three strands of PSPE are identity, interactions and active living which are integrated into units of inquiry and supported by all teachers.