Early Years 1

English is our shared language of instruction and communication. In a PYP school the focus is not just on learning language in isolation, but also on the application of language skills across the subject areas and throughout the Programme of Inquiry. Some language is taught as ‘stand-alone’, while other aspects of language are taught in the context of our Units of Inquiry. We believe students learn best when they have opportunities to learn within meaningful contexts, and when the teaching is in response to students’ needs, interests and previous experiences.

Students at OurPlanet come from a wide range of language and cultural backgrounds, which we view as a major asset to our learning community. We believe students learn best when they have opportunities to learn within meaningful contexts, and when the teaching is in response to students’ needs, interests and previous experiences. Students at OurPlanet come from a wide range of language and cultural backgrounds, which we view as a major asset to our learning community.

The social studies component of the PYP is characterized by concepts and skills rather than by content. Therefore, OurPlanet ensures that a breadth and balance of social studies content is covered through the units of inquiry. The knowledge component of social studies in the PYP is arranged into five strands: 

These strands are concept-driven and are inextricably linked to each other. They also provide links to other subject areas of the PYP curriculum model.

In the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), mathematics is also viewed as a vehicle to support inquiry, providing a global language through which we make sense of the world around us. It is intended that students become competent users of the language of mathematics, and can begin to use it as a way of thinking, as opposed to seeing it as a series of

facts and equations to be memorized. The aim of our Mathematics programme is to develop students into confident mathematical thinkers, with a sound knowledge of number and the creativity to apply this knowledge to solve problems in many ways. 

Instruction and assessment of Mathematics is organised around 4 strands/skills:

The science component of the PYP is characterized by concepts and skills rather than by content. Therefore, OurPlanet ensures that a breadth and balance of science content is covered through the units of inquiry. The knowledge component of science in the PYP is arranged into four strands: 

At OurPlanet we offer Music, Visual Arts and Drama. Each of these arts is a significant discipline in its own right, but the transdisciplinary nature of arts gives them relevance throughout the curriculum. Arts promote attitudes such as empathy and appreciation, and skills such as analysis, that help us to see the uniqueness of each person as well as explore the commonalities that connect us.

Work in arts is a way of conveying meaning, sharing a culture, developing one’s sense of self, and expanding knowledge. It provides opportunity to reflect on aesthetic experience, to engage the imagination and explore what is uncertain. Through engaging with and creating artworks, learners are encouraged to reconsider familiar concepts and think about issues of culture and identity.