IB NEWS
Issue: 1 September 2025
WHAT IS IB?
International Baccalaureate is a worldwide community of schools, educators and students with a shared mission to empower young people with the values, knowledge and skills to create a better and more peaceful world.
“IB programmes aim to provide an education that enables students to make sense of the complexities of the world around them, as well as equipping them with the skills and dispositions needed for taking responsible action for the future.” (IB, 2020)
IB- PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (PYP)
The PYP is designed for students ages 3-12. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in school and in the world beyond.
PYP learners take ownership of their learning, collaborating with teachers to deepen understanding and increase their confidence and self-motivation.
“Through the programme of inquiry and by reflecting on their learning, PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and the attributes of the IB Learner profile.” (IB, 2020)
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE FOR CES
We are currently in candidacy to become an IB school We will be completing many steps this school year in order to get authorized
At the beginning of the school year, our main goal is to introduce students to the learner profile traits Students that were here last year have become very familiar with these traits and have even started using these traits to describe themselves as learners
Our 1 - 5 grade teachers are on track to create and implement six program of inquiry units Our pre-k and kindergarten teachers are on track to create and implement four program of inquiry units. These units are listed below under “themes.”
IB PYP INCLUDES:
6 Themes
Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organize ourselves
Sharing the planet
Learner Profiles Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers
Open-Minded Communicators Caring Risk-Takers Balanced Reflective Principled
PRE-K UNIT 1 AT A GLANCE BY GRADE LEVEL
Theme: Who We Are
Central Idea: We learn about who we are through our cultures, traditions, and how we live and learn.
Learner Profiles: Caring- Students will actively and respectfully pay attention Share community supplies.
Open-Minded- Share “Me Bags.” Students will make connections to how they are similar to their classmates and how they are different. Communicators- Students will respond positively to others. Show and share.
KINDER
Theme: Who We Are
Central Idea: Our rules and agreements shape how people live and work together
Learner Profiles:
Communicators- Students will effectively communicate their wants and needs. Reflective- Students will take responsibility for their choices and how they affect others.
Caring- Students will take responsibility for their choices and how they affect others.
1ST
Theme: Who We Are
Central Idea: We learn and grow by exploring the benefits of rules and how that shapes or community.
Learner Profiles:
Reflective- Students will understand that actions have consequences. Caring- Students will show empathy, compassion and respect to self, others and the world around them by fostering new relationships.
Communicators- Have discussions during morning meeting, book talks, and math chats
2ND
Theme: Who We Are
Central Idea: Rules can teach us how to live together, make good choices, and be helpful members of our community.
Learner Profiles:
Principled- Students learn how their actions affect others in their community. Inquirers- Students ask questions about the world around them.
Knowledgeable- Students explore how rules help people live and work together.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL
3RD
Theme: Who We Are
Central Idea: As we grow, our roles and connections with others help shape who we are.
Learner Profiles:
Reflective- Students can identify and reflect on how people’s choices and actions show who they are and who they are becoming.
Communicators- Students can give examples of how cooperation helps people adapt to their environment.
Open-Minded- Students will explore how working with others influences how we think, learn, and act
4TH
Theme: Who we are
Central Idea: Cultures and relationships impact perspectives which influence identity.
Learner Profiles:
Open-minded- Students will understand that that one experience can result in multiple points of view
Communicators- Students will effectively communicate their perspective.
Risk-Takers- Students will take risks by sharing ideas and participating in tasks that are new or outside their comfort zone.
5TH
Theme: How the world works
Central Idea: Humans create and innovate based on changing cultural norms and behaviors so that we meet human needs
Learner Profiles:
Reflective- We will identify where we came from and reflect on how that impacts our identity.
Inquirers- We will be looking at different adaptive devices for paralympic athletes.
Knowledgeable- Students will understand innovation changes with cultural norms.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VICTORIA ZIMMERMAN
Hello! I am your IB coordinator and I am so excited to be on this journey here at Cullen ES. This will be my 20th year in education. I have taught Pre-K, 1st grade, 4th grade ELAR, and 5th grade ELAR. I was also an instructional coach for 3 years. I just completed my 11th year here in Hays CISD.
I received both my undergrade and masters at Texas State University. Eat ‘Em Up Cats!
UPCOMING EVENTS
IB Consultant Visit 9/24-9/25
1st Podcast (TBD)
IB Cultural Fair (TBD)
STILL CURIOUS ABOUT IB?
Please feel free to contact me victoria.zimmerman@hayscisd.net (512)268-8449 (43204)