Susan Riley | July 2012

PYP and Arts Integration

Recently, I have been fortunate to attend a variety of trainings and collaborative work studies for PYP, also known as Primary Years Programme.  This is the elementary segment of the renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) programs that are springing up across the country.

What has struck me most about PYP, however, is its intense relationship with the strategies that are presented using Arts Integration.  Today, I am sharing these observations with you in our latest Infographic below.

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If you’re looking for more, here’s a great source of online references:

Learn the Basics

These resources give you more in-depth knowledge of what PYP is. In addition to, the components of the program, and ways to begin using in your classroom.

Oxford’s Resources for PYP – This site, maintained by publisher Oxford University Press, provides print and online resources for understanding the basics of PYP.

All About IB – The official IB site with the latest information and research on PYP, MYP and IB in schools.

Inquiry Schools – This site gives you a rundown of what and how to implement inquiry-based learning strategies, including embedding Universal Design for Learning.

Curriculum Framework – This gives you the basics in terms of curriculum design using your own district’s curriculum to help embed PYP principles.

Online Teaching Resources

These resources center around actual sites, activities, lessons, and important elements of connecting PYP across contents.

WIS Curriculum Nook – I love this site because it provides you with a literal bevy of information to get you started successfully right from the beginning.  Included are Learner Profile information, Assessment rubrics, targeted book selections for each profile, and interactive games for students.

PYP Library – This site is maintained by the IB Organization and evolves constantly, adding books to their lists all the time for grade-specific, learner profiles.

Resourcing the PYP – Another site with a wealth of resources, blogs, and imaginative activities to use with PYP.

PYP Exhibition Resources – This blog provides a link to many free Web 2.0 tools that can be connected with a PYP focus.

Community Connections 

These sites are online communities sharing their updates resources, information, and practical ideas for using PYP.

PYP Exhibition – This site shares exhibitions from nearly 200 PYP classrooms around the world.

Flat Classrooms – A place to learn from other global classrooms through interactive community conversations.

PYP Threads – A ning community for all areas of PYP, including questions, resources, and assessments.

PYP Chat – This is the archived site of the #pypchat that happens on Twitter.  Focused on one area during each conversation, this is a great way to explore segments of PYP moving forward.

About the Author

Susan Riley is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM. This is the world’s largest online resource for educators interested in integrating the arts. She has presented at events and authored articles for many educational organizations including The US Department of Education, Palmetto State Arts Education, Edutopia, Education Week, Americans for the Arts, ASCD, and NPR. She regularly presents at national and international events each year. She is the author of three books and is a sought-after collaborator for innovative educational projects around the globe. Susan brings creativity, practicality, dedication and passion to the education landscape. She is well-respected for her pioneering work in the fields of Arts Integration and STEAM education with a standards-based approach. As an educator who taught for 10 years in public schools, as well as served in central office leadership, she understands the fast-paced change, challenges and promise of 21st century schools. As an entrepreneur, she has successfully taken what was once a simple education blog and developed it into a rapidly-growing and highly-respected educational institution. Her team of 15+ teachers, leaders and coaches support over over 500,000 educators each month worldwide. Susan holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and a Master of Science in Education Administration from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. She lives in Westminster, MD with her husband and daughter. Email Susan