IB PYP Grade 5 Exhibition Students’ Checklists (Week 0)

The Grade 5 exhibition is truly the highlight of the skills that students have gained throughout their preschool and primary school years. When I discuss this with primary teachers, I emphasize that it’s not just the responsibility of the Grade 5 teachers; rather, it’s a celebration of the hard work and dedication of all the previous teachers who have contributed to the students' learning journey.

To me, the exhibition resembles a business project where students must showcase all their skills simultaneously.

As students prepare for the exhibition, they engage in inquiry-based learning, developing their research, presentation, and problem-solving skills. This process fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, empowering them to take charge of their learning and contribute to meaningful change.

The Grade 5 exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for students to shine and for the entire school community to come together in support of their achievements. This Exhibition even more important than End of Year graduation. I wholeheartedly believe that this celebration showcases the cumulative efforts of all educators involved in the students' growth and development.

As we embark on the exciting journey of the Grade 5 exhibition, it's essential to recognize that Week 0 is a crucial preparation phase for teachers. This week sets the stage for the next eight weeks, laying the groundwork for a successful project.

During Week 0, teachers must focus on planning, organizing, and preparing the necessary materials and resources. This involves setting clear goals, outlining the project timeline, and determining how to guide students through the process.

Once the exhibition officially begins, there’s no turning back. This experience will transform your perception of students and their skills. You’ll witness their growth, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in ways you may not have anticipated.

As we kick off this incredible eight-week project, remember that Week 0 is just the beginning—a time for preparation that will ultimately lead to an unforgettable experience for both students and teachers alike. Let's embrace this journey and watch our students shine!

Week 0 (let’s start)

First make sure that you outlined Your Central Idea and Lines of Inquiry. Usually Central Idea will be the same but the LOIs students will change according to their topics. The Central Idea depends on your unit. This is the our example:

• Central Idea: Taking small actions can inspire others to make changes.

• Lines of Inquiry:

  • Understanding the problem

  • Developing ideas

  • Creating a solution and sharing it with others

  Invite Guest Speakers

  • Reach out to community members (teachers, parents, administration) to present for 15 minutes. You should try to invite as many people as you can.

  • They should share their experiences with societal issues and actions they've taken to address them (e.g., using reusable water bottles to combat pollution, raising awareness, volunteering etc.).

  Show Relevant Videos and Discuss

  • Present videos related to the central idea and facilitate a discussion afterward.

Choosing Topics of Passion

• Allow students to select topics they are passionate about, understanding that they may change their minds over the next two weeks as part of the learning journey.

Question Asking Techniques

• Teach students to formulate both open and closed questions.

List Questions

• Students should list open questions they want to explore further about their topic.

SDG Connection

• Once students choose their topic and Big Idea, ask them to select relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explain their choice.

Personal Connection Paragraph

• Have students write a paragraph or two explaining why they chose their topic and their personal connection to it.

Create a List of Passions

• Compile a list of students' interests and combine them into Big Ideas (e.g., Identity & Diversity, Fairness & Inclusion, The Role of AI & Technology, Personal & Planetary Wellbeing).

• Form groups based on these ideas, keeping in mind students' collaboration and enjoyment.

Mind Map

• Ask students to create a mind map with their topic in the center to visualize their thoughts and connections.

This is Week 0, but it might take more than 2 weeks. Of course, there is now “right way to do the PYP Exhibition as it depends on you as a teacher, your students, your school vision - the steps above it’s only our attempt to structure the process for ourselves.

Please let me know if you have other ideas for week zero and I am happy to add/change the content on this page.

Good luck with the IB PYP Grade Exhibition and don’t forget to check Week 1 post.