Sekolah Dasar Tunas Unggul is a national school that is integrated with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Since 2021, SD Tunas Unggul is becoming a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and pursuing authorization as an IB World School. PYP is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12.
The PYP transdisciplinary framework focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. The PYP has been developed through decades of research into how students learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practice of effective assessment, the programme places a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.
Through the PYP, SD Tunas Unggul develops students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing, focusing on international-mindedness and strong personal values. The PYP nurtures independent learning skills, encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning. The programme incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. The themes include ‘who we are’, ‘where we are in place and time’, ‘sharing the planet’, ‘how we express ourselves’, ‘how we organize ourselves’ and ‘how the world works’. (www.ibo.org)
Essential Elements of PYP
The PYP Exhibition
In the final year of the program, which at SD Tunas Unggul is Grade 6, students are expected to participate in a culminating project, Exhibition PYP. This is designed to demonstrate their competence in all areas of the program. Students engage in a collaborative transdisciplinary inquiry process that involves identifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life problems or issues.
As one of the many ‘frontloading’ activities, the Year 6 teachers organized a study tour. The Year 6 Study Tour was designed and organized to study the topic of Exhibition. The study tour was also designed to strengthen students’ social skills and further develop their ability to work as effective team members. To spread awareness of Exhibition throughout the school community, the Year 6 Team (teachers) organized three separate Exhibition workshops; for Year 6 parents, Primary School staff and Exhibition mentors.
The workshop highlighted the process, expectations and some of the student activities, as well as providing practical experience and understanding for all involved regarding the Exhibition journey. Teachers are encouraged to volunteer their time to mentor individual groups. All specialist teachers integrate with this unit and work closely with Year 6 teachers. All student work produced in the specialist classes will be displayed on the PYP Exhibition days.