Primary Years

We inspire:Curiosity, Kindness, and Confidence to shape well-rounded individuals ready for the challenges of middle years and beyond.

Welcome to our Primary Years

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Units of Inquiry and the PYP Journey

A unit of inquiry is a 6-8 week in-depth exploration of a concept. Students inquire into the concept through an overarching central idea and are guided through the unit by three, student-driven lines of inquiry. Each classroom will have six units of inquiry per year. While exploring the unit’s central idea, students learn specific elements through the different subjects and form their own connections between what they are learning and how it relates to the world around them. Rather than learning topics, we see our units through a conceptual lens to give us a broader understanding. Inquiry-based learning, focusing on our Approaches to Learning Skills, developing our Learner Profile Attributes and allowing students to be agents of their own learning lies at the heart of all our learning in all subjects.

Who We Are

Where We Are In Place And Time

How We Express Ourselves

How The World Works

How We Organize Ourselves

Sharing The Planet

Social - Emotional Learning (SEL)

In our IB program, we recognize that education extends far beyond textbooks. For our youngest learners in the Primary Years Programme (PYP), social-emotional learning (SEL) is the heartbeat of their educational journey.

Rooted in the principles of the IB framework, our approach to SEL is about more than just academic achievement—it's about nurturing well-rounded, empathetic individuals. Through a curriculum that values emotional intelligence, cooperation, and self-awareness, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of success.

Please see our Counselor page for more details about curriculum and SEL approaches at Seven Peaks.

Approaches to Learning

Approaches to learning skills

The IB approaches to learning skills (ATL) are grounded in the belief that learning how to learn is fundamental to a student’s life in and out of a school context. In broad terms, IB programmes support learners in developing:

Thinking skills
Communication skills
Research skills
Self-management skills
Social skills

The approaches to learning and associated sub-skills support students of all ages in being agentic and self-regulated learners. Through a variety of strategies, PYP teachers collaboratively plan for implicit and explicit opportunities to develop ATL both inside and outside the programme of inquiry.

Program of Inquiry

Seven Peaks School Primary Program of Inquiry (POI)

The Program of Inquiry serves as a framework for curriculum in the Primary Years Program. Learning is organized around six transdisciplinary themes. The teachers at Seven Peaks School carefully ensure that our state and national standards are aligned and embedded into these themes.

Our PYP studies are based on six subject areas: languages, social studies, mathematics, art, science, and personal/ social/physical education.
All subject areas are equally important for the development of your child.

View the POI broken down by grade level here.

Progress Reports

In the Early Years, our progress reports read as narratives created from structured observations, designed to provide a holistic picture of your child’s learning. A majority of the monitoring and documenting of students’ learning and development happens during play, telling a story of what the educator sees a child seeing, saying, and doing.

Early Years progress reports serve to highlight the unique journey of every child and provide a holistic view of growth, as opposed to a specific letter or number grade.

Using anecdotal and narrative records as the main form of reporting allows us to show the development of knowledge, ATLs and Learner Profile attributes across time, providing insight into your child’s behavior and progress.

Reporting on learning takes many forms – student portfolios, parent-teacher conferences, and progress reports.

Assessments

Assessments in the PYP are ongoing, focusing on process over product. We strive to make this an authentic, student-centered process that encourages and involves student voice. A variety of strategies and tools are used to make this process meaningful and engaging. By monitoring, observing, documenting and reflecting teachers are assessing the learning every day. Assessment is a tool for teachers and parents to understand a child’s overall progress, and more specifically, a child’s strengths and developmental needs. Observation, documentation, and reflection on children’s actions are done year-long and form the cornerstone of our teaching and learning methodology.

Reporting on learning takes many forms – student portfolios, parent-teacher and student-led conferences, and progress report cards.

Curriculum

Math: In first grade we work on developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and a variety of strategies to use them. Furthermore, we explore whole number relationships, place value, units of measure and geometric reasoning. Regardless of the student’s ability level, challenges can be presented to demonstrate and articulate reasoning and thinking behind solutions to problems.

Reading: Modelling off of the common core, and recognizing that literacy has many layers, all students in first grade learn foundational skills in reading for decoding, and then transition into reading for meaning and making sense of text. A major portion of this is realized through both oral and written expression to craft responses to texts and prompts across subjects that show an understanding of concepts and ideas.

SEL: Students in first grade realize and appreciate the importance of peers and interpersonal relationships of peers. Working with classmates we frequently explore our feelings and emotions and learn to become reflective practitioners and understand how and why some experiences were positive or negative, and how they can be improved in the future.

Visual Arts: In 1st grade, students move from a basic understanding of the elements to learning what happens with regards to the elements of art. Students begin to understand how the elements of line and shape, for example, play into the larger pieces of art and begin to interact with each other. They are introduced to a variety of artists who have been challenged in their work and often resisted, but made a difference in how art is seen. We connect with the classroom IB Unit, How We Express Ourselves, to create art around our own unique place in this world through family connections.

Performing Arts: The program will follow the Units of Inquiry, using drama to help express different elements, such as stories with morals, observing nature, scientific inquiries into light, etc. 1st Grade will work towards a performance.

PE: Students will learn to work safely, efficiently and effectively as they develop their locomotor, manipulative and movement skills. They will learn about the components of fitness and rules to various games as they work independently, with partners and in small sided group activities. Cooperative play and team building skills will also be a focus in PE.

Spanish: 1^st graders will learn vocabulary (calendar vocabulary, feelings, numbers, parts of the body, family members, etc…) By the end of the year, students will be able to express and make questions about their feelings, needs and interests using simple sentences all this through games, songs and having fun while they are learning. The goal is for students to also learn in Spanish some of the topics that they are learning in their classes with their teachers implanting IB in Spanish lessons.

Class Experiences

These are a few examples of the class experiences done in 1st grade:

In partnering with the Environmental Center and OSU Cascades outdoor ed program, we work on team building skills at Skyliners Lodge.

In a unit about storytelling, students will learn about the night sky, constellations and myths. Heading to the

Design Lab, they will create their own constellation (that lights up!) and write their own myth about it.

2nd Grade

Curriculum
Class Experiences

Curriculum

Language Arts: In Language Arts we will explore complex phonics patterns and grammar rules. While reading, we will experience multiple genres of text through book clubs and read alouds. Students will produce several types of writing including, personal narratives, opinion pieces, and informational books. We will also take a few weeks in the Spring to have fun with poetry.

Math: In Math we will become experts in addition and subtraction as we build towards multiple digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping. We have a really fun measurement unit based on the book Measuring Penny, by Loreen Leedy. Second Grade math helps to lay the foundation for multiplication and division.

Science: In Second Grade we take a deep look at earth and physical sciences. Our units focus on concepts such as properties matter, water as a resource and necessity, and geographical changes.

Social Studies: In Second Grade we examine how culture shapes communities, beliefs and values can be expressed through the arts and how economics systemes affect our daily lives. Several action projects that address community needs will help bring our learning to life.

Visual Arts: In 2nd grade, the students move from a basic understanding of the elements to learning what happens with regards to the elements of art. Students begin to understand how the elements of line and shape, for example, play into the larger pieces of art and begin to interact with each other. They are introduced to a variety of artists who have been challenged in their work and often resisted, but made a difference in how art is seen. We connect with the core classroom IB Unit, How We Express Ourselves, looking at how artists have expressed themselves through the visual arts and how the students can do so as well.

Performing Arts: The program will follow the Units of Inquiry, using drama to help express different elements, such as scientific inquiries into water, culture and history, different ways to tell stories, etc. 2nd Grade will work towards a performance.

Spanish: 2^nd graders will learn vocabulary (calendar vocabulary, feelings, numbers, parts of the body, family members, parts of the house, professions and occupations, etc…). By the end of the year students will be able to express and make questions about their feelings, needs and interests using simple sentences and also describe physical characteristics about themselves and others, all this through games, songs and having fun while they are learning. The goal is for students to also learn in Spanish some of the topics that they are learning in their classes with their teachers implanting IB in Spanish lessons.

Class Experiences

3rd Grade

Curriculum
Class Experiences

Curriculum

Math: Students take a large step in math this year, as they will be diving into the new topics of multiplication and division, fractions, and area and perimeter. They also solidify their understanding of rounding, place value, time, measurement, and geometry.

Reading: Third graders will continue to improve their fluency and decoding skills while reading, as well as grow their vocabulary. They will read several different types of books throughout the year, and practice many reading and comprehension strategies to better understand and analyze the various texts that they read.

Writing: There are four types of writing that will be developed throughout the year: personal narratives, fictional narratives, opinion pieces, and informational reports. They will more thoroughly develop their use of introductions, conclusions, linking words, dialogue, and research skills.

Science: Many interesting scientific concepts will be researched and explored this year. Animals will be looked at extensively, through looking at life cycles, hereditary traits, and habitats. Weather and climate will be monitored all year long via the in-class Ambient Weather Station. Hands-on activities will be used to experience the wonders of magnets and other forces.

Social Studies: Students will learn all about how the economy and businesses work within a community and the world, as well as the workings and responsibilities of their local government. A closer look will be taken at the local geography, natural resources, and history of migration within Oregon. The concept of migration and human development will also be viewed through an international lens.

Visual Arts: In 3rd grade students continue to grow in understanding how the elements of art interact with each other in a piece of art. They are challenged to grow in their skill with the various materials used in the classroom such as paint and clay. We collaborate with the core classroom on the IB Unit, Where We Are in Place and Time and look at both art through the ages and artists who have had to face and rise above unique ethnic challenges.

Performing Arts: The program will follow the Units of Inquiry, using drama to help express different elements, such as inspiring people from history, scientific inquiries into forces, developing their own stories, etc. 3rd Grade will work towards a performance that they will co-create.

Spanish: 3^rd graders will learn vocabulary (calendar vocabulary, feelings, numbers, parts of the body, family members, parts of the house, professions and occupations, etc…) by the end of the year students will be able to express and make questions about their feelings, needs and interests using simple sentences and also describe physical characteristics about themselves and others, all this through games, songs and having fun while they are learning. The goal is for students to also learn in Spanish some of the topics that they are learning in their classes with their teachers implanting IB in Spanish lessons.

Class Experiences

These are a few examples of the types of action projects done in 3rd grade:

Influential Person Project: Through the inquiry of Who We Are, students learn more about themselves and about important people in history. Students will thoroughly research an influential person of their choice, and then perform a short skit or presentation sharing the knowledge they learned throughout their research.

4th Grade

Curriculum
Class Experiences

Curriculum

Math: Our new math curriculum is Dimensions Math (Singapore Math). Fourth-grade math builds on the information learned in previous grades and adds more complexity, especially with regard to fractions and decimals.

Reading: In 4th grade, the students will be reading longer chapter books and lots of non-fiction text. The Lucy Calkins Reading Units of study are utilized. We will focus on:

Using more advanced reading comprehension strategies to understand text, including making inferences, determining the main idea, and identifying key details.
Synthesize information from two texts.
Support analytical thinking with specific examples from the text.
Summarize information.
Interpret information from charts, images, videos, timelines and diagrams.
Compare and contrast information read.
Proficiently read at grade level four in both fiction and nonfiction texts.
Learn new vocabulary words using context clues.

Writing: In 4th grade the Lucy Calkins Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing are used. The students write narrative, persuasive and informative pieces. Organization and elaboration of ideas are a major part of the writing curriculum.

Science: Our 4th grade IB science units cover: electricity, human body systems, steps of the scientific method and Earth science

Social Studies: Our 4th grade IB social studies units cover: Oregon history (The Oregon Trail and Native Americans of Oregon), forms of government, map skills.

Performing Arts: The program will follow the Units of Inquiry, using drama to help express different elements, such as beliefs and values, awareness about the environment, musical-inspired expression, etc. 4th Grade will work towards the biggest ES performance of the school year, co-creating all elements of the play.

Visual Arts: In 4th more technique is taught as student’s skill grows and they are faced with the challenge of bringing their learning of the art elements into their own unique pieces and evaluating how who they are plays into the art they create. They are introduced to more advanced techniques in each of the mediums and challenged to evaluate their work and others when it comes to things such as composition, color schemes, and meeting the criteria set forth for a particular assignment. We collaborate specifically with the IB Unit How the World Works, both exploring light, color and energy and looking at how they play out in visual arts.

PE: Strength and Conditioning I (Power bands, lightweights, circuit training, Yoga I, power walking and jogging)

Team Sports I: (Basketball, Hockey, Team Handball, Softball, Soccer, Football, Lacrosse, Baseball and Volleyball)

In-door Games: (Goal Ball, Cage Ball, Wiffleball, Sideline Basketball and International Kickball)

Individual Sports: (Track & Field, Project Adventure I, Badminton I)

Spanish: The goal in 4th/5th grade is for the activities to represent a challenge for the students' level of Spanish. Grammar activities will be implemented where the students will learn the origin and correct use of expressions and sentences. By the end of the year students will be able to express interests, needs and feelings in a higher level. They will also improve their understanding, listening, writing and reading. We will also be pair some Spanish lessons with some of the topics that they are learning in their classes with their core teachers.

Class Experiences

5th Grade

Curriculum
Class Experiences

Curriculum

Math: We have brand new research based curriculum from Singapore Math! Our new 5th grade materials cover place value, expressions, operations, measurement, fractions, geometry and more! Math will often be taught in distinct lessons , but it will also be incorporated in a cross curricular way during projects.

Reading: Kids will read a variety of genres (historical fiction, realistic fiction, nonfiction, fantasy) that link directly into our transdisciplinary themes. For example, our unit on immigration involves a realistic fiction novel exemplifying issues associated with current immigration AND we also read a historical fiction novel about some of the first exploratory immigrants that initially populated North America. Simultaneously, we will also be working on a variety of comprehension and vocabulary building activities.

Science: In 5th grade students will learn about responsible stewardship of the Earth by studying earth spheres, biomes, and the interdependence of organisms. They will also explore the states of matter, develop scientific models, and demonstrate chemical reactions. Finally we will investigate the solar system.

Social Studies: 5th graders will have a diverse examination of exploration; ranging from the new world to modern migrants. Additionally they will examine the origins of our government through focusing a variety of perspectives. Finally, students will end the school year by researching and presenting on a global issue of their choice.

Visual Arts: In Fifth grade, more technique is taught as student’s skill grows and they are faced with the challenge of bringing their learning of the art elements into their own unique pieces and evaluating how who they are plays into the art they create. They are introduced to more advanced techniques in each of the mediums and challenged to evaluate their work and others when it comes to things such as composition, color schemes, and meeting the criteria set forth for a particular assignment. This final year of PYP ends with an exhibition in which all the different disciplines are brought together. The students create an art piece which speaks to how they see themselves within their social context and the issues they face as a result.

PE: Strength and Conditioning I (Power bands, lightweights, circuit training, Yoga I, power walking and jogging)

Team Sports I: (Basketball, Hockey, Team Handball, Softball, Soccer, Football, Lacrosse, Baseball and Volleyball)

In-door Games: (Goal Ball, Cage Ball, Wiffleball, Sideline Basketball and International Kickball)

Individual Sports: (Track & Field, Project Adventure I, Badminton I)

Design: As 5th grade is the last grade of the Primary Years Program, they are working to gain independence in tools such as the Cricut, some power tools, and the 3D printer before entering into the Middle Years Program.

Band: Fifth grade students participate in Band as their required Performing Art course. Students choose and begin to learn how to play their instrument. We strive to advance all students to be confident players on their instruments while playing through Method Book One as far as we can as an ensemble.

This group will perform concerts and learn to play concert pieces at the Grade 1/2 to Grade 1

Grade 1 level in band repertoire. Students are always so proud of their progress through learning, playing and performing.

Students need to be able to support each other and work together as a group to be a successful ensemble.

Class Experiences

These are a few examples of the class experiences done in 5th grade:

Many 5th grade projects are also connected to trips and experiences. Kids visit Camp Tamarack for 3 days in the fall, or share a story in a downtown cafe, or head to a special exhibition at the High Desert Museum. The complexities of teaching through a pandemic have recently altered some of these experiences, but in 5th grade we always do our best to create a fun and safe covid-friendly alternative that still involves getting out of the building.

Meet our PYP Coordinator

Samantha Lyke

Samantha Lyke

Samantha Lyke, affectionately known as Sammy, is not just a PYP Coordinator at Seven Peaks School; she is a supportive force behind the school's continued IB program growth. Born in the picturesque landscapes of Austria, Sammy's journey in international education has been nothing short of extraordinary.

For over a decade, Sammy has been an unwavering advocate for the IB philosophy. Her passion for fostering inquiry-based learning and global citizenship has left an indelible mark on the educational landscape.

A serendipitous turn of fate led Sammy to her now-husband, Chris Lyke, who serves as the 3rd-grade teacher at Seven Peaks this year. Together, they form a dynamic duo, weaving a tapestry of educational excellence within the school community.

In their second year of living in Bend, Sammy's influence on Seven Peaks' PYP program is unmistakable. From the meticulously crafted Programme of Inquiry (POI) wall to the vibrant integration of IB Learner Traits, Sammy's commitment to holistic education is evident in every corner of the school.

Collaborating closely with Hope Royes, the MYP Coordinator, Sammy has co-taught numerous workshops and educational offerings, creating a seamless bridge between the Primary and Middle Years Programmes.

As an IB Coordinator, Sammy wears many hats. She's a curriculum guru, ensuring the alignment of the school's curriculum with IB standards. She's a mentor, guiding teachers in the implementation of inquiry-based teaching methodologies. Additionally, Sammy is a visionary, consistently seeking innovative ways to enhance the IB experience for students.

In essence, IB Coordinators like Sammy are the architects of an enriched educational experience. They breathe life into the IB framework, infusing schools with a spirit of inquiry, international-mindedness, and a commitment to nurturing well-rounded, globally aware learners.

At Seven Peaks School, Sammy's dedication to IB education creates a learning environment where curiosity knows no bounds, and students are empowered to become lifelong learners and compassionate citizens of the world.

Contact Sammy.

The 5th Grade Exhibition

A Culmination of Inquiry & Action

The 5th Grade Exhibition is an exciting and culminating project where students showcase their skills, knowledge, and personal development acquired throughout the PYP. This event aligns with the IB philosophy, emphasizing holistic education and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

The 5th Grade Exhibition not only celebrates academic achievement but also instills a sense of global citizenship. It prepares students for the next phase of their education by nurturing essential skills such as research, critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication. Moreover, it embodies the IB commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who understand the power of knowledge to create positive change in the world.

In essence, the 5th Grade Exhibition is a powerful and transformative experience that encapsulates the core values of IB education, empowering students to become lifelong learners and agents of positive transformation.

Check out the 2022-23 5th Grade Exhibition here.