Grade 5 is a special year in the IB programme, because it marks the completion of the Primary Years Programme. This article features the important steps our young leaders take in this stage of their education, including the PYP Exhibition and MYP Day!
The PYP Exhibition
The Exhibition is a culminating inquiry project within the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), where students engage in in-depth research on topics connected to the environment. Over the course of seven weeks, students investigated a real-world issue of their choosing to develop their understanding, with the goal to design an action piece that demonstrates both their learning and how they intend to make a positive impact on their issue.
The topics were as creative as our students, and spanned several industries. In natural sciences students chose to explore stars, honey bees, air pollution and parasites. Some students took a medical perspective, investigating Alzheimer’s, skincare and allergies to name only a few. Pop culture was also a popular subject, with topics including Pokemon, K-Pop and fashion.
To go along with their project, the students had to create some kind of action that provides a solution or improvement to their researched issue. For example, one group proposed an app that could be used to scan beauty products and identify whether they were made ethically or not. Students had to apply all their research, creativity and accumulated skills from the PYP to complete this project, and they fully embraced the challenge.
To celebrate the completion of the project the Grade 5s set up their exhibition in the Junior School Gym to showcase their actions to students from across the school and their families. Congratulations to the Grade 5s for their hard work on this milestone project.
MYP Day
To help students’ entry into the next level of the IB programme, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator and Grade 6 teacher created a special MYP day. This provides the Grade 5s the chance to be MYP students for the day and experience a taste of what next year will look like (with some extra fun thrown in).
The day introduces the students to a mock schedule, with each block focused on a specific subject to mimic the schedule they’ll have in Grade 6. This included a special chemistry demonstration in science class, design games on their laptops and an introduction to the arts rotation of fine arts, music and theatre.
A special day comes with a special treat and to celebrate their transition the Grade 5s were treated to a special lunch and popsicle.
In September these students will officially be starting their first year of the Middle Years Programme. To learn more about the MYP, check out these articles. Congratulations to all our Grade 5 students for this exciting milestone! We’re so proud and excited to see you in the Senior School next year.
