Kujawa Elementary School Students’ Enthusiasm ‘Contagious’
Fourth graders finishing the IB Primary Years Program explore how it’s a small world after all.
Students’ projects focused on how people around the world express themselves.
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]T[/dropcap]he fourth grade cohort shared student projects with their parents and the wider community this spring at the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) Exhibition.
Each year, the IB coordinator provides a central idea for the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB Exhibition. The 2017 transdisciplinary theme was “How We Express Ourselves.” The central idea of how cultural perspectives influence self-expression guided them. Students worked in teams. Each group selected a country to focus on. They studied the country’s history, trade and culture.
This unit has students learn how our personal history and culture defines who we are. They also learned how we express ourselves. As a result, students discovered the interconnected between countries. Students also identified the concept of diversity. They explored how groups have enhanced art, music and literature. Students recognized that people of different countries have different social and political systems.
Students also explored the ways societies around the world express themselves artistically. They learned songs, music, dances, and students studied the typical clothing and fashion. Other students explored cultural celebrations, art and food.
The Exhibition is such a powerful experience for students. It is an independent project. Teachers take on the role of mentors to support project development and learning.The educators also help students make connections between various subject disciplines. Students have to carry out research on an issue that interests them. 
They have to organize their time. They also have to be able to communicate their new understandings to a wider audience. Skills in communication, research, thinking, social and self-management underpin the project. Students use these skills to determine how they work together.
After months of in-depth study and collaborative inquiry, it was time to showcase. The process culminated in students presenting their projects. They had to exhibit attributes of the IB learner profile. These attributes have been developing throughout students’ engagement in the PYP.
The purpose of the Exhibition is for students to apply their learning of previous years. IB students show independence and responsibility for their own learning.
What is an IB Exhibition?
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A culminating project for the PYP (Fourth Grade)[/li] [li]A collaborative inquiry that students have a personal interest in exploring [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]An inquiry that requires students to apply their learning from previous years[/li] [li]An experience that uses the five essential elements of the PYP: Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes and Action [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A demonstration of how students can take action as a result of their learning[/li] [li]A celebration of who our students are as learners and leaders [/li][/ul]
Students presented their understanding and knowledge via video, movement and music. They also used food, language and visual displays. To celebrate, the campus invited the community to see their creative exhibits.
Well done!
The Kujawa Education Center received the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction Award.
View more images from the Exhibition.
[Not a valid template]About the Author: Leticia Fehling
