Niko

Reflections from the IB Global Conference: Our Humanity, Connected Last week in The Hague, I had the privilege of joining thousands of fellow educators for the IB Global Conference. The theme, "Our Humanity, Connected," was far more than just a slogan on a banner; it was a pedagogical call to action that resonated through every session I attended. I walked away with a mind buzzing with ideas, but more importantly, with a clear, actionable thread connecting them all.

An IB educator shares reflections from the IB Global Conference, focusing on inquiry, agency, specified concepts, and collaborative practice.

Beyond the Mandate: Building World-Class PYP Scope & Sequences in the Absence of National Standards

As PYP coordinators, we often grapple with the question of external standards. While the PYP provides an incredible framework for how students learn, the 'what' can sometimes feel fluid. A common…

From Human-Centered to World-Wise: A Practical Guide to the New IB PYP Theme Descriptors The International Baccalaureate (IB) has updated the descriptors for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Transdisciplinary Themes, and it’s more than just a change in wording—it’s a meaningful evolution in perspective. If you're a PYP coordinator or teacher, you might be wondering what this practically means for your programme of inquiry and classroom practice. This guide unpacks the "why" behind the shift and, most importantly, the "so what," offering practical takeaways to help you confidently navigate this transition and enrich your students' learning.

Navigate the updated PYP theme descriptors with confidence. This guide unpacks the key changes, offering practical takeaways and resources for IB coordinators and teachers.

Beyond the Slides: Weaving a Collaborative Narrative in the PYP Exhibition Workshop After every workshop I lead, I find myself sketching out a ‘director’s cut’ in my mind. It’s a familiar process for any facilitator, I’m sure. You reflect on the moments of genuine breakthrough, the sparks of collaborative energy, and you think, "How can I capture that magic and make it the core of the experience next time?" The PYP Exhibition workshop, a cornerstone of our practice, is a space ripe for this kind of refinement.

Beyond the Slides: Weaving a Collaborative Narrative in the PYP Exhibition Workshop

After every workshop I lead, I find myself sketching out a ‘director’s cut’ in my mind. It’s a familiar process for any facilitator, I’m sure. You reflect on the moments of genuine breakthrough, the sparks of…

Tech Tools in Tiny Hands: Smart Ways to Use Technology in Your Primary Classroom The digital world is all around us, and our primary learners are growing up as digital natives! Integrating technology into the classroom can be incredibly exciting, offering new ways to explore, create, and learn. But with so many apps, tools, and devices, how do we choose what’s truly effective and not just a fun distraction? That's where a little bit of "teacher thinking" with frameworks comes in handy!

Tech Tools in Tiny Hands: Smart Ways to Use Technology in Your Primary Classroom

The digital world is all around us, and our primary learners are growing up as digital natives! Integrating technology into the classroom can be incredibly exciting, offering new ways to explore, create, and learn.…

On the PYP Coordinator’s Desk: From Good to Great – Sharpening Your Central Ideas with a Concept-Based Lens Hello everyone, I'm writing this with a mind still buzzing with ideas and a notebook full of scribbles. I’ve just returned from two incredible days at the Bavarian International School’s City Campus, wholly immersed in a "Concept-Based Inquiry in Action" workshop led by the amazing Carla Marschall. We will ask ourselves:What attributes do we find in a concept-based curriculum?

On the PYP Coordinator’s Desk: From Good to Great – Sharpening Your Central Ideas with a Concept-Based Lens

Hello everyone, I'm writing this with a mind still buzzing with ideas and a notebook full of scribbles. I’ve just returned from two incredible days at the Bavarian International School’s…

***25-26 ElemMathChat Schedule

1/ 🚀 Want to lead #ElemMathChat this year? YOU are the perfect passionate math educator to guide one or more of our weekly chats. Sign up now & shape the convo! 👉 docs.google.com/spreadsheets... #ElemMathChat #MTBoS #ITeachMath

So guys, it’s been a month and I need some feedback on it. Is it adding anything to the Bsky experience? I’m not getting a lot of responses and I honestly have no clue if people like it or not. It’s a lot of work, so I’d like some honest feedback. Yay or nay, it’s stupid or good, etc, let me know 🙏🏻

Such an important tournament #sarcasm #cwc #fcbayern

Boom! Shaka-laka!

The connections come alive, and with them: insight, clarity, growth. #learning #parenting

The moment transformed from a potentially frustrating chore into a meaningful, collaborative experience, reinforcing the idea that when we look past the surface, the deeper ideas—like connection, reflection, and shared growth—come alive.

himself.
My shift from doubt to full presence, from feeling unqualified to embracing a shared learning journey, undoubtedly connected with his shift in behavior and performance.

his focus sharpened, and his technique visibly improved. During that single practice session, he improved his shotput distance by over two meters! Later that week at school, he added an additional half-meter to his best try from Saturday. He laughed, he reflected, and he felt immensely proud of

"We do not learn from experience; we learn from reflecting on experience." This wasn't just about the physical act of throwing; it was about critically analyzing and understanding each attempt.

And do you know what happened next? His mood completely changed. He stuck with the drills,

but about us engaging in a shared process of discovery and practice. And as he reflected on each throw, adjusting his stance and release based on the instructions and his own feel for the movement, another truth resonated with me, one famously articulated by John Dewey:

something profound shifted. My initial frustration receded, replaced by a deep sense of presence. We weren't just "doing" shotput; we were learning, together.

This experience brought a powerful idea into focus: learning is a social construct. It wasn't about me being an expert,

spoke a word. We talked it through, visualizing the steps, and only then was he ready for the warm-up.

By accident, I even had him start with the lighter 3kg ball before moving to the 5kg, a small detail that seemed to make a big difference. As we worked through the drills, side by side,

laminated instructions for each event, complete with warm-up routines, simple techniques, and even advanced tips. This was our turning point. We didn't just glance at them. We both leaned in, first studying the images, then trying to create a mental construction of the movements before we even

This wasn't a familiar classroom setting; this was a specialized athletic skill, and I felt completely unqualified. A sigh escaped me, and I started to question if this was the best use of our precious Saturday morning.

But then, a small miracle: his PE teachers had thoughtfully created

needed to choose a field event for school, and after some deliberation, we'd settled on the throws.

As we stood there, the sun already warming the asphalt, a familiar wave of doubt washed over me. Could I really help him with this? I wanted to, desperately, but my knowledge felt utterly inadequate.

Saturday morning found me at the track with my 15-year-old, embarking on a new kind of "training." As a primary classroom teacher, I've taught PE before, but track and field, especially shotput and discus, is decidedly not my forte. My son, a strong long-distance runner,

Reflections & Resources: Elevating the “Building Your IB Primary Years Programme” Workshop Elevate your IB Primary Years Programme workshop! Get reflections, redesigned resources & practical tips for better PYP facilitation and participant engagement.

Reflections & Resources: Elevating the “Building Your IB Primary Years Programme” Workshop

Elevate your IB Primary Years Programme workshop! Get reflections, redesigned resources & practical tips for better PYP facilitation and participant engagement.

Driving Student Agency with Goal-Setting: A Learner-Centered Approach Drive student agency with learner-centered goal setting. Learn practical strategies, including WIN Time and co-creation, to empower students by focusing on the learning process over the product.

Driving Student Agency with Goal-Setting: A Learner-Centered Approach

Drive student agency with learner-centered goal setting. Learn practical strategies, including WIN Time and co-creation, to empower students by focusing on the learning process over the product.

Bayern Munich win 2024/25 Bundesliga title Bayern Munich are 2024/25 Bundesliga champions, reclaiming the title from Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen with two games to spare.

Congratulations Bayern München and especially Harry Kane: www.bundesliga.com/en/bundeslig...

YouTube video by PewDiePie I installed Linux (so should you)

Year of the Linux Desktop is finally here: youtu.be/pVI_smLgTY0?...

The Writing Process: Supporting Student Choice and Bridging Balanced Literacy with the Science of Reading Wondering how to improve your writing instruction and support student choice? This article covers the writing process, mentor texts, and bridging balanced literacy with the science of reading.

The Writing Process: Supporting Student Choice and Bridging Balanced Literacy with the Science of Reading

Wondering how to improve your writing instruction and support student choice? This article covers the writing process, mentor texts, and bridging balanced literacy with the science of reading.

Inquiry-Based Learning in Primary School: A Synergistic Approach Discover how inquiry-based learning, combined with concept-based inquiry, empowers primary school students. Explore inductive approaches, transdisciplinary learning, and UDL

Inquiry-Based Learning in Primary School: A Synergistic Approach

Discover how inquiry-based learning, combined with concept-based inquiry, empowers primary school students. Explore inductive approaches, transdisciplinary learning, and UDL

The Power of Early Intervention: Investing in a Child’s Future Struggling with dyslexia in your school? Learn how WIN Time can be a game-changer! This flexible, data-driven approach allows for personalized instruction, early intervention, and targeted support. Read more about how to implement these strategies and empower your students! #dyslexia #WINtime #education #specialeducation #readingintervention

The Power of Early Intervention: Investing in a Child’s Future

Struggling with dyslexia in your school? Learn how WIN Time can be a game-changer! This flexible, data-driven approach allows for personalized instruction, early intervention, and targeted support. Read more about how to implement…

1.5K views · 49 reactions | Well miss you Grade 12! Good luck 💕🎓 | Bavarian International School Well miss you Grade 12! Good luck 💕🎓.

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The Approaches To Learning (ATLs) The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. The IB is a widely recognized education system. It prepares students for success in a global context. The ATLs are designed to be incorporated into all subject areas. They are meant to be taught and assessed alongside content knowledge. The ATLs teach students how to learn.

The Approaches To Learning (ATLs)

The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. The IB is a widely recognized education system. It prepares students for success in a global context. The ATLs are designed to be incorporated into all…