Planning through the IB PYP Approaches to Learning Skills

The IB PYP Approaches to Learning Skills are a BIG deal! We think of them as the tools that support independent learning, amplifying the journey as the children progress with their development of those 21st century skills. And it is so important to identify those skills and then acknowledge them. Transparency is key. The functional language or action words help us when planning through the ATL skills with the children, to assist with recognising the skills in use, being able to transfer those skills authentically and connect the purpose to their learning meaningfully. 

These posters align with the enhancements and provide a substantial list of actions that fall within each of the sub-skills. What we want to do when planning our programme of inquiry, is to be able to identify the actions within those sub- skills and then to cross-reference which skills we can cover throughout the programme of inquiry and with single subjects too. We also want the children to know which skills we are focusing upon and what those skills look-sound-act and feel like in action. Really, really handy for collaborative team planning, co-planning and co-constructing success criteria.

For example: Think about the actions involved within analysing skills that fall under Critical Thinking within the Thinking Skills but also within Information Literacy under Research Skills:

• •observing
• •visualising
• •questioning
• •making connections
• •etc.

•You will find a poster for all five skills with both U.K & USA spelling.

•Templates to support co-planning with the children

I hope youre able to find these posters useful for your planning of the actions which are the sub-skills within our Approaches to Learning Skills. If youre looking for more information on planning and applying the ATL skills, there are several articles within my blog that offer practical strategies and learning experiences.

You can also find a big selection of hands-on tools for explicit and implicit development of the ATL skills for all ages. Takealookhere.

Susan Powers

PYPteachingtools.com