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The Creation Village Primary School Program
At Creation Village World School, we are committed to nurturing young minds preparing them for a globalized world. Our holistic approach to education is inspired by the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. We focus on the development of well-rounded, inquisitive, and compassionate individuals. From preschool to 5th Grade of our private, international primary school in Central Florida, mission is to fulfill each learner's God-created identity by developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who love God.
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SECTION 1 Introduction to the Creation Village Primary School Program
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is an educational framework designed for students aged 3 to 12 years. Rooted in the philosophy that education should foster the development of well-rounded individuals with a global perspective, the PYP emphasizes inquiry-based learning, holistic development, and the cultivation of key skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The curriculum is organized around six transdisciplinary themes, encouraging students to explore connections between subjects and real-world issues. The PYP places a strong emphasis on the development of learner profiles, which include attributes such as being inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and principled individuals. Through a balance of academic rigor, personal development, and international-mindedness, the IB PYP aims to nurture students who are not only academically competent but also socially responsible and equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Special Primary School Traditions
As part of Primary School student life at CVWS, we have a few big and memorable traditions.
Village Houses
“To teach is to learn twice.” Such is the rationale behind our Learning Buddies tradition. Creation Village Primary School and Middle School students are paired with another student, creating a relationship where Buddies learn together, support each other, and grow together over the years. They meet monthly and participate in collaborative projects and activities. These meetings extend the curriculum and enhance learning for all students in the Creation Village World School community.
Integrated Trips
Whether exploring historical sites in St. Augustine or scientific laboratories at AdventHealth each Primary class has a unique off-campus learning experience with tangible connections to classroom lessons. Our field trips are integrated into study themes providing students with immersive and hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond the confines of the classroom. These excursions serve as dynamic extensions of academic subjects, allowing our Primary students to witness and engage with real-world applications of their studies.
End of Unit Presentations
At the end of the units of inquiry, students from PreK-3 to 5th Grade celebrate their achievements. We invite our learning community to see, observe and experience what our students learned. Students demonstrate their inquiry cycle and learnings from the past weeks through their choice of media. The end of the unit presentations is a powerful opportunity for students to make their learning public and gain confidence by presenting it to an authentic audience. Through this process, students embrace the different IB Learner profiles attributes to reflect on their learning by communicating what they now know and what they are inquiring about.
5th Grade Exhibition
The IB PYP Exhibition is a culminating and significant event for students in our 5th-grade class. The exhibition is designed to be a transdisciplinary, student-centered inquiry project that allows students to showcase their learning, research, and personal growth throughout their studies. Throughout their 5th-grade year, students work with mentors on their personal passion projects and then present them to the learning community as their capstone at the end of the year.
SECTION 2 What Creation Village Primary School Students Study
Throughout the PYP, there is a strong emphasis on developing inquiry skills, critical thinking, and the ability to research and explore topics independently through the Approaches to Learning and below Personal, Social and Physical Education. Our highly qualified, dedicated teachers deliver an integrated curriculum that fosters creativity, teamwork, and independence. Our student's daily routines are structured around Units of Inquiry integrating subject-specific knowledge and skills in the following key areas:
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Language: The development of language skills is central to the PYP. This includes the development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing in both our primary language, English, and secondary language, Spanish.
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Mathematics: The PYP emphasizes the development of mathematical understanding through inquiry, exploration, and application.
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Science: The PYP encourages students to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through inquiry and hands-on experiences.
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Social Studies: This includes the study of individuals and societies, history, geography, economics, and other related subjects.
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Arts: The PYP includes visual arts and performing arts, allowing students to explore and express their creativity through multiple media.
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Personal, Social, and Physical Education: This includes the development of personal and social skills, as well as physical education and health education.
Our students learning centers on developing a sense of agency, taking meaningful actions from their learning and then reflecting on their actions to create a positive impact cycle.
SECTION 3 Creation Village Primary School Transdisciplinary Learning
Transdisciplinary Learning
Our Primary School focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. The PYP is a transdisciplinary program, meaning that the concepts students explore supersede disciplinary boundaries integrating knowledge and skills across subject areas through six themes:
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Who We Are: An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual health; human relationships, including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
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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 relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sharing the Planet: An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
The PYP also places a strong emphasis on developing a set of transdisciplinary skills known as Approaches to Learning (ATL). These skills include thinking skills, communication skills, social skills, self-management skills, and research skills.
SECTION 4 Creation Village Primary School Assessment
Assessment
Assessment at Creation Village Primary School is an integral part of the teaching and learning process. The PYP assessment approach is designed to be comprehensive and authentic, focusing on the development of the whole child. Assessment in the PYP serves several purposes, including informing instruction, providing feedback to students, and evaluating the effectiveness of the programme. Here are key aspects of assessment in the PYP:
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Formative Assessment:
- Ongoing and continuous assessment that takes place during the learning process.
- Focuses on understanding students' current levels of knowledge and skills.
- Provides feedback to both students and teachers to guide further learning.
- Often involves observations, conversations, and student reflections.
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Summative Assessment:
- Assessment tasks that are typically conducted at the end of a unit or inquiry.
- Measure the overall understanding and achievement of students.
- May include projects, presentations, tests, or other culminating activities.
- Used to make judgments about student progress and achievement.
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Criterion-Referenced Assessment:
- Evaluation based on predetermined criteria and standards.
- Students are assessed against specific learning objectives and criteria rather than being compared to their peers.
- Emphasizes the development of specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes outlined in the PYP framework.
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Assessment of Transdisciplinary Skills:
- In addition to subject-specific knowledge, the PYP emphasizes the development of transdisciplinary skills such as communication, research, social, thinking, and self-management skills.
- Assessment includes the observation and evaluation of these skills across various subject areas and activities.
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Student Self-Assessment:
- Encourages students to reflect on their own learning and progress.
- Helps students develop metacognitive skills and a sense of ownership over their learning.
- Students are often involved in setting goals, reflecting on their strengths and areas for development, and assessing their own work.
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Portfolios:
- Portfolios can include samples of student work, reflections, and evidence of progress.
- Provide a holistic view of student development and learning.
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Teacher Collaboration and Moderation:
- Teachers within our school and across different PYP schools often engage in collaborative assessment practices.
- Moderation involves teachers discussing and evaluating student work to ensure consistency and fairness in assessment practices.
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Reporting:
- Our Primary school provides progress reports every two Units of Study which are comprehensive reviews of progress.
- Our Progress Reports include information about students' progress, achievements, and areas for improvement.
- While also including narrative comments and feedback on transdisciplinary skills.
Assessment in the PYP is designed to be authentic, meaningful, and aligned with the philosophy and goals of the programme. It aims to support the development of lifelong learners who are reflective and able to transfer their understanding to new contexts.
"At Creation Village World School (CVWS), our Primary Years Programme (PYP) builds young critical thinkers. Our focus is on addressing students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Students develop their curiosity, creativity, and ability to reflect on learnings and experiences to become internationally minded citizens. The goal is for our students to be able to think conceptually, connect information to effectively solve complex problems, have a robust understanding of the world, and to be able to effectively navigate a global community as they do good for God."
Sagrario Arguelles
Head of Primary Years Programme
Inquire About our Primary School
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