Primary – Grade 5 Tuning Into the Exhibition

In Grade 5, students are beginning the Exhibition process: an extended collaborative inquiry providing “an opportunity for students to exhibit the attributes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile that have been developing throughout their engagement with the PYP.”  (IB 2007)

This year, student inquiries will be under the transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves. To get things started, Grade 5, considered the theme carefully before rephrasing it to reflect their own understanding.

After reflecting on What they love to… and care about…, students brainstormed an extensive list of possible inquiry topics. Grade 5 used the key concepts: form, function, causation, change, connection, perspective, responsibility, reflection to suggest possible inquiries for their most inspiring topics.

Students conducted a gallery walk to view each others thinking before narrowing down their personal topics of interest. After a few shuffles, groups were formed and topics selected. Yay!

The excitement in each group built as they justified their choices.

Essential Agreements were designed. These help guide group work, individual participation and time management. Members agree on the traits and actions that will encourage meaningful collaboration for all individuals in the group. 

The Exhibition is a journey. Students document their own journey, reflecting on their learning: successes, challenges, skills and attitudes. Grade 5 choose Blogs (digital) or Scrapbooks (paper) as a platform for recording their reflections and to express themselves.

These journals will be visited regularly over the upcoming weeks, providing self, peer, mentor and teacher feedback as part of each students assessment.

Congratulations to Grade 5 for the awesome energy and commitment that has been demonstrated during week 1.