Unpacking a Text, Unlocking a World

Audience: Primary Years Programme
Session: Block 3: Friday 3:45 to 5:00, Room: Pacific O

The Junior Great Books (JGB) program is based on the belief that true literacy is about engaging the intellect and the imagination through challenging texts. This workshop will share how College Gardens Elementary School helped to create a global community by using the JGB to enrich their existing Primary Years Programme and incorporating the materials and Shared Inquiry method into their school-wide curricular map. Through this integrated approach, students can learn to unpack a text collaboratively by exploring questions, engaging critical thinking, and testing multiple perspectives through Shared Inquiry that unlocks the power to think and give momentum to act!


Elizabeth Rogovoy, PYP Coordinator, College Gardens Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools

Elizabeth Rogovoy has ten years experience in education as a fifth grade teacher in the Primary Years Programme. During this time, she served as a lead teacher at College Gardens during its authorization process as the first PYP school in the state of Maryland. Ms Rogovoy is currently the PYP Coordinator at the school and supports the staff and community through a successful authorization process. She also plays a leading role in the Mid-Atlantic Region Coalition of IB Schools.


Organization website: http://www.mcpsmd.org/

Albert DuPont, Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools

Albert DuPont is currently the Principal at College Gardens Elementary School, the first IB World Schol to offer the Primary Years Programme in the state of Maryland. Through his leadership, the school opened a new state of the art campus. Dr DuPont is an advocate for IB's vision and mission of inquiry-based instruction.

Susan Galbraith, Senior Trainer and International Presentor, Great Books Foundation, Great Books Foundation

Susan Galbraith has been a student, parent, teacher, and administrator in the international school community. She has served on the Primary Years Programme authorization team of a small elementary school, which delivered its curriculum in three languages. With the Great Books Foundation, she has created special partnerships with IB schools all over the country.


Organization website: http://www.greatbooks.org/