Primary Years Programme (PYP) KG - Gr. 5

Dar es Salaam International Academy (DIA) is a authorised school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

IB World Schools share a common philosophy - a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering a challenging, high quality of programmes of international education that share a powerful vision*

DIA offers the IBPYP from Kindergarten - Grade 5, and chose this programme due to both the academic rigor as well as the fact that it allows students to challenge themselves and excel both academically as well as personally.

All of the IB Programmes focus on developing well-rounded global citizens, with the IB Learner Profile being central. The Learner Profile is made up of ten (attributes) of which students, and all other stakeholders of the school aim to exemplify. These include, being risk-takers, caring, balanced, courageous, principled, inquirers, open-minded, knowledgeable, communicators and thinkers.

The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer and is guided by six trans disciplinary themes of global significance. These themes allow schools the flexibility to incorporate local and global content into the curriculum.

In the last year of the PYP at DIA (Grade 5), students are expected to undertake a collaborative, trans disciplinary inquiry process that involves them in researching, identifying real-life issues and offering solutions and is the culminating experience of the PYP. Not only do students get to display what they have learnt over the PYP, they also learn to work together and demonstrate the ability to put together a project and present it to their peers and the wider school community. This culminating project is known as “The Exhibition”.

For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

*Mission Statement from the IB The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a balance between essential knowledge and skills, development of conceptual understanding, demonstration of positive attitudes, and taking of responsible action. 

It offers a balance between learning about and through subject areas, the six subject areas in the PYP are: Arts; Language; Mathematics; Physical, Social and Personal Education; Science; and Social Studies.

Through six trans disciplinary themes, local and global issues within the curriculum effectively allow students to move beyond the confines of learning within subject areas.

- Who We Are – an inquiry into the nature of self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual heal; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human

- Where we are in place and time - an 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

- How we express ourselves—an 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—an 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

- How we organize ourselves—an 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

- Sharing the planet—an 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

Students inquire and learn about these significant issues through units of inquiry, each of which addresses a central idea relevant to the theme and focuses on specific subject areas. Lines of inquiry are identified and explore the scope of the central idea for each unit.

PYP students are expected to demonstrate their understanding and what they have learnt at different stages of the learning process. Formative assessment is embedded in the teaching and learning process and is a daily routine of the classroom. Summative assessment occurs at the end of the teaching and learning process and allows students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt.