key subjects taught in the PYP

The disciplines (key subjects) taught in the PYP.

What are the disciplines (key subjects) taught in the PYP?

The disciplines are:
1- Languages:
The languages of instruction at EIS are English and Arabic, in addition to a third language the French.

The language strands are:
1- Oral communication: listening and speaking
2- Written communication: reading and writing
3- Visual communication: viewing and presenting

2- Mathematics:
The Math is viewed as a vehicle to support inquiry, providing a global language through which we make sense of the world around us.

The Maths strands taught are:
1-Data Handling
3-Shape & Space
4-Pattern & Function

3- Science:
In the PYP, science is viewed as the exploration of the biological, chemical and physical aspects of the
natural world, and the relationships between them. Our understanding of science is constantly changing
and evolving. The inclusion of science within the PYP leads learners to an appreciation and awareness of
the world as it is viewed from a scientific perspective. It encourages curiosity and ingenuity and enables the
student to develop an understanding of the world.

The science strands are:
1- Living things,
2- Earth and space
3- Materials and matter
4- Forces and energy

4- Social Studies:
In the PYP, social studies is viewed as the study of people in relation to their past, their present and their future, their environment and their society. Social studies encourage curiosity and develop an understanding of a rapidly changing world. Through social studies, students develop an understanding of their personal and cultural identities. They develop the skills and knowledge needed to participate actively in their classroom, their school, their community and the world: to understand themselves in relation to their communities. The aim of social studies within the PYP is to promote intercultural understanding and respect for individuals and their values and traditions.

The social studies strands are:
1- Human systems and economic activities
2- Social organization and culture
3- Continuity and change over time
4- Human and natural environments
5- Resources and the environment

5- Personal, social and physical education (PSPE):
In the PYP, personal, social and physical education (PSPE) is concerned with the individual’s well-being through the promotion and development of concepts, knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to this well-being. Well-being is intrinsically linked to all aspects of a student’s experience at school and beyond. It encompasses physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social health and development, and contributes to an understanding of self, to developing and maintaining relationships with others, and to participation in an active, healthy lifestyle. PSPE is integral to teaching and learning in the PYP and is embodied in the IB learner profile that permeates the programme and represents the qualities of internationally minded students and effective lifelong learners.

The PSPE strands are:
2-Active learning

6- The Arts
Arts are integral to the PYP. They are a powerful mode of communication through which students explore and construct a sense of self and develop an understanding of the world around them. Arts provide students with a wide range of opportunities and means to respond to their experiences and engage with historical, social and cultural perspectives. The students are stimulated to think and to articulate their thoughts in new ways, and through a variety of media and technologies. The PYP recognizes that not all learning can be supported solely through language, and that arts as a medium of inquiry also provide opportunities for learning, communication and expression. Learning about and through arts is fundamental to the development of the whole child, promoting creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and social interactions.

The Arts strands are:

7- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
ICT in the PYP encompasses the use of a wide range of digital tools, media and learning environments for teaching, learning and assessing. ICT allows students to make connections and reach a deeper understanding of its relevance and applicability to their everyday lives. Through the use of ICT, learners develop and apply strategies for critical and creative thinking, engage in inquiry, make connections, and apply new understandings and skills in different contexts.
The following six ICT skills are relevant to all learners: investigating, creating, communicating, collaborating, organizing and becoming responsible digital citizens. Each skill is transdisciplinary and will support learning both within the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry and within the subject areas.