After nearly two years of planning and preparation, MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) is finally implementing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) for Preschool and Grade School students starting this school year 2021-2022.
The opening of the school year for students in the Early Years to Elementary was postponed for two weeks and moved to August 16 due to the additional faculty training and preparation for the new program.
According to Mrs. Michelle Anog, MGCNLCA’s IBPYP Coordinator, the IBPYP advocates student-centered and inquiry-based learning. The program also encourages students to be critical thinkers, risk-takers, and architects of their own learning.
“Understanding the 21st century skills our students need to have to be prepared for their future stations in life, we saw how the mission of the IB would help supplement our existing values and best practices as a school,” said Anog.
Unlike the more traditional learning method of mostly memorizing and taking tests, students using the Cycle of Inquiry “guide the teacher’s (and learner’s) thinking beyond simply coming up with activities and towards a more thoughtful process that assists students to move from the known into the unknown and to engage in fruitful dialogue.” (Murdoch, 2017).
Anog explained that with the adoption of the IBPYP program, a unit of inquiry class now weaves together the four main subjects, namely Mathematics, Science, English Language and Arts, and Social Studies. Two homeroom teachers, including more than 20 new teachers across Preschool to Grade School, will do tandem teaching for each class for the four core subjects. The IBPYP program will also use Toddle as its learning management system or LMS, an app used by other IB schools and, now, MGCNLCA.
In preparation for the new curriculum program, MGCNLCA conducted several orientations as well as a Town Hall Meeting for parents and guardians via Zoom to brief them on what to expect, teach them how to use the Toddle app, and answer their questions and concerns about IBPYP.
Anog admitted that they are anticipating some challenges in implementing the program but is optimistic that with the support of the whole school community, the new program will succeed in molding the students to become passionate, independent, and life-long learners.
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