As we begin the 2014 school year, our boys are engaging in their first UOI of the year, known as a Unit of Inquiry. For many new parents, UOI is a new acronym that you will hear regularly being spoken about by both your son and the teachers. Classroom teachers would have sent home an overview of the Units of Inquiry on their ‘Parent Information Night’. Our updated Programme of Inquiry that shows the summary of all Units of Inquiry for each year level can be found in two places – either the ‘Now Showing’ notice board outside the Year 5 and 6 rooms or on SPACES. This is a communication tool to give parents a snapshot of the Units of Inquiry your sons will be undertaking throughout the year.

Our Units of Inquiry use the PYP language embedded through the 5 Essential Elements: Knowledge; Concepts; Skills, Attitudes and Action. Since these ideas relate to the world beyond the school, our boys see their relevance and connections in an engaging and challenging way. Students who learn in this way begin to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as learners and become actively involved with their education. Our boys will come to realise that a Unit of Inquiry engages them in in-depth exploration of an important idea, and that the teacher will collect evidence of how well they understand that idea. They will be expected to work in a variety of ways, on their own and in groups, to allow them to learn to the best of their ability.

The fifth Element, Action, is the element of which parent communication will have the greatest impact. Action encourages the students to ask ‘so what?’ ‘Having learned what I have……..so what can I do with this knowledge?” If the boys have learned about ‘energy’ and make comments at home about being more environmentally sustainable, these are the conversations that should be communicated to your sons’ teacher. This will assist in developing a greater understanding of how the boys have used their knowledge to undertake action.

At the start of Week 7, your son will bring home their UOI book for the first time this year. This is a great tool to have some in-depth conversations with your son/s about the learning in which they are engaged and has already taken place. Please speak to him about his knowledge (what he has learned) and understanding of the skills, attitudes and concepts he is using within the Unit of Inquiry.

The one thing that I love about the PYP is that it assists in creating common language between school and home. Discussions with the boys about their learning is a valuable engagement and lets the boys know you care about their schooling and that you are interested in finding out more about their learning. There are some fantastic learning experiences, guided and independent inquiries happening at Lindfield at the moment. Take the time to engage with your son and foster the love of learning that we all promote in your boys.

Joel Weekes
Teaching and Learning Team Leader (PYPC)

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