Scaffolding the Exhibition in the Primary Years Programme

Audience: Primary Years Programme
Session: Block 1: Friday 11:15 to 12:30, Room: Pacific M

Exhibition is the final step students take to move from learning about action to independently taking action. Scaffolding provided by mentors during this experience can dramatically increase the scope and effectiveness of students' efforts. One school will provide insight into how they have scaffolded these experiences to enable students to think about their role in communities and understand how they can act to create positive change. Handouts will be provided that can be adapted to any school's Primary Years Programme Exhibition. Time is scheduled for roundtable discussion to share ideas and allow for collaborative problem solving regarding challenges in implementing the PYP Exhibition.


Erin Gordon, IB Committee Facilitator; Fifth Grade Teacher, Eugene Field Elementary School

Erin Gordon has been an elementary educator for 16 years. She has been involved with the IB programme through the Munich International School and the Eugene Field Elementary School in Littleton, Colorado. She holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Elementary Education. Currently she teaches fifth grade and facilitates her school's IB Committee, a group designed to increase teacher leadership capacity in the IB Primary Years Programme. Erin is a trained site visitor for IB North America, and is active with the IB Association of Rocky Mountain Schools in Colorado. She worked closely with her teammates to implement Field's PYP Exhibition program, which has been growing for the past five years.

Michelle Killy, Fifth Grade Teacher, Eugene Field Elementary School

Michelle Killy has worked at Field Elementary in Littleton, Colorado for nine years. She has been through the various stages of implementation and authorization at the school, and has received training from IB up through level 2. Her teaching experience varies, as she has taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and ESL. The year she spent as an ESL teacher inspired her to obtain a master's in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in English as a Second Language. Teaching students about the Primary Years Programme Exhibition has created a great desire and love for helping students understand the importance of service learning.

Sally Moore, Fifth Grade Teacher, Eugene Field Elementary School

Sally Moore has taught fifth grade for 16 years, 3 of which have been at Eugene Field Elementary School in Littleton, Colorado. She holds her B.A. in History and Political Science and her master's in Teaching, both degrees from Colorado College. She will complete her IB Levels 1 and 2 training by summer of 2008. Currently Ms Moore serves on the literacy committee at her school, as well as sponsoring the student Council and a girls' basketball program. She has worked closely with her teammates in designing and implementing the fifth grade Exhibition program at her school.