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Books for Teaching the IB PYP Learner Profile

There are so many wonderful books for helping to teach children about the character traits of the IB Learner Profile. Books bring the Learner Profile to life as children learn what these attributes LOOK-SOUND-FEEL-ACT like. Over the years however, I keep returning to a few that I feel reinforce those profile traits really well. I’ve used these books with 3rd grade up to 6th grade equally successfully, even though they may seem to be a wee bit young for those age groups. They work well as quick read alouds and can be utilised to reinforce many reading skills and strategies too: inferring, questioning, synthesising, figurative language and more.

This page is a list of my favourite books for pulling together the Learner Profile traits. I like to use some of them within our units of inquiry or simply as a stand alone exploration when the opportunity presents itself to look more thoroughly at a particular profile trait.

I have grouped them...

Women’s History Month Through a Concept-Based Inquiry Lens

March is a powerful opportunity to inspire our IB PYP learners with the stories of remarkable women who have shaped our world. But how can we go beyond simple recognition and create meaningful, inquiry-driven learning experiences? By integrating Women’s History Month across the PYP transdisciplinary themes, we can deepen students’ understanding of key concepts, cultivate research skills, and connect their learning to the Learner Profile in a way that resonates for all ages. In this article, Im offering ideas for connecting this important recognition of women in society with classroom resources that may be able to support your investigations and align with our IB PYP framework.

Connecting Women’s History to the PYP Themes

Each of the six transdisciplinary themes offers a unique lens for exploring the contributions of women throughout history. By narrowing our focus with concepts such as identity, innovation, revolution, chang...

The Best Ways to Learn with Essentials for Inquiry

I know that being new to the world of concept-based inquiry can be over-whelming. And I know that we are coming from all over the world. 🌍I know our community.🌏 And that's why I wanted to make professional development as accessible and as affordable as possible for you, no matter your learning style. This article is sharing the many forms of support that I have designed to support you as a valuable member of our community. I've been in your shoes and I have worked with many, many others who have come through Essentials for Inquiry before you. Let me support you, too. 

Whether you’re looking for bite-sized professional learning, an all-access membership with money-back perks, or an in-depth, comprehensive course you can own for life, I made sure that Essentials for Inquiry has an option that fits your needs. Plus, with an exclusive community of like-minded educators, you’ll never have to navigate the inquiry journey alone.😊

1. M...

10 Easy Strategies for Assessing Conceptual Understanding in the IB PYP.

 Helping students build conceptual understanding is at the core of how we approach knowledge in the IB PYP. But how do we ensure they’re truly grasping big ideas rather than just recalling facts? I've put together 10 simple, effective ways to check for conceptual understanding at different grade levels ( supporting differentiation and diverse learning styles)—whilst encouraging student agency. Plus, you’ll find links to several resources that I designed for my class to support their self-assessment and reflective thinking practice.

Look for the  IB PYP This or That Exit Slips and Reflection Task Cards for Concepts to support deeper thinking across all transdisciplinary themes. They were such a hit for students and teachers! 

For Your Lower Grades Learners 

1. Concept Sorting with Real Objects This is an example of internalisation & classification in action. 
    Provide a variety of real-world objects and have s...

Something BIG is Here  for Inquiry Teachers! 🚀

At PYPTeachingTools.com, I know how much you pour into creating meaningful, engaging, and wonder-filled learning experiences for your students. I also know how hard it is to juggle planning, professional development, and everything else on your plate.

How do I know? Because you told me.

I receive many, many questions from our community, every month. And I hear you.😊That’s why I'm thrilled to announce something game-changing for inquiry-based educators everywhere!

Introducing: PYP Teaching Tools Inquiry Membership🌟

Your one-stop monthly membership designed to empower inquiry teachers with done-for-you resources, practical tools, and professional learning—all focused on concept-based inquiry and student-led learning.

This is more than a subscription. It’s a time-saving lifeline packed with everything you need to develop thinkers and inquirers, provoke wonder in your students, and enhance your teaching practice—all delivered straight...

 7 Classroom Activities to Boost Critical Thinking in the IB PYP Classroom

Developing critical thinking skills is crucial in an IB PYP setting, as it helps students become thoughtful inquirers. Here are seven practical classroom activities that align with the Approaches to Learning skills and encourage critical and creative thinking.

 1. Inquiry Jar Exploration - Thinking & Research Skills

Present students with an Inquiry Jar or bag filled with objects related to the concepts within your unit of inquiry. Working in pairs, students predict each item’s purpose and justify their thinking. This activity sparks curiosity, supports questioning techniques, and builds evidence-based reasoning. I have blogged about the inquiry jar previously. 

This inquiry jar strategy is a great way to tune into the additional concepts within your theme using tangible materials.

2. A Questionable Conversation - Communication & Thinking Skills

Invite students to participate in a dialogue where they can on...

Unpacking Project-Based Learning for the IB PYP: A Concept-Based, Transdisciplinary Approach

Consider all the benefits of experiential learning and the myriad ways it reaches ALL learners and learning styles. This is why I love authentic inquiry-based projects for ALL disciplines and project-based learning (PBL) is just another powerful way to engage students in the inquiry cycle, enhancing their research skills and connecting their learning to real-world issues. In the IB PYP, inquiry-based math projects offer powerful opportunities for students to explore math in a way that connects to real-world issues Let’s look at how the PBL approach can be adapted for the IB PYP classroom within our concept-based, transdisciplinary approach to teaching. 

I have provided several examples for both upper and lower grades. Read on to find high-engagement ideas for your students' age and ability level. 

 Why Project Based Inquiry?

I create inquiry-based projects and activities for my students b...

There isn't much as scary as Halloween in the elementary classroom! You either love it or hate it! 🎃 Whatever your feelings about Halloween, brace yourself and keep the inquiry flowing with these skills-based learning tools I have for you. And all perfectly aligned for your upper elementary IB PYP classroom.

Thinking & Communication Skills through Literacy

Halloween is the perfect time to bring a little magic to your classroom and engage students with creative, spooky literacy activities. By integrating Halloween-themed tasks into your learning environment, you can provide meaningful experiences that foster critical Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, such as thinking, communication and social skills; key elements of our IB PYP framework. Below, we explore some eerie-sistible 🎃Halloween literacy activities that will make your planning easier.

1.Spooky Story Starters for Creative Writing _Thinking & Communication Skills

Get your students’ imaginations howling with a Halloween-the...

 If you're new to inquiry based learning or the IB PYP, you may very well be asking yourself what exactly is an inquiry cycle? Well, basically it is a marvellous journey that you take alongside your students, allowing a common language into exploration.😊 Let's dive in and unpack it together.

Concept-based inquiry is at the heart of the IB PYP pedagogy and the process of inquiry is often modelled as a linear cycle. There are many correct inquiry cycles out there and it doesn't matter which one you prefer to follow or adapt since the process of learning is what's most important for your students. It provides a powerful framework for cultivating curiosity in our classrooms. When we talk about inquiry, we’re talking about active learning; empowering our students to BE thinkers, questioners, explorers, communicators. However, PYP schools are probably most familiar with Kath Murdoch’s inquiry cycle. 

In today's post, we’ll explore the fundamental stages of the process of inquiry and I'll o...

You know that way when your students' reflections are just regurgitated and not really giving us insight as to their conceptual understanding? When it comes to reflection and assessment in the IB PYP, fostering student voice and agency is at the forefront of creating engaged and lifelong learners. At the heart of this endeavour we want our students to truly understand what it means to BE reflective. Not only an attribute of the Learner Profile but being reflective is also a key Thinking Skill. The importance of this skill comes into play when we are assessing the concepts around which we plan and implement our inquiries. Concepts serve as the backbone of the IB PYP curriculum. Concepts not only deepen understanding but also empower students to take ownership of their learning experiences. 

Easy Strategies to Develop Reflective Thinkers

I'm excited to introduce a powerful approach to enhance reflection and inclusive assessment in the IB PYP through the lens of conceptual awareness. ...