IB in the classroom
- Introduction
- PTIS Playgroup
- Little Explorers
- Early Years
- Primary Years
- Specialist Subjects
- Events/Trips
PTIS Junior School
Introduction
The PTIS Junior School is a unique and vibrant community offering a world-class curriculum within a caring, welcoming and safe environment for 130 students.
We nurture and encourage a spirit of inquiry together with the ideals of internationalism through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years programme.
We challenge our students to be critical and creative thinkers who will take action as a result of their learning. We also have rigorous forms of benchmarking to give parents an accurate picture of student achievement compared to other OECD countries. We are committed to educational excellence.
Our teachers are all highly-qualified and deeply committed to being the best teachers they can be to ensure our children reach their highest potential.
Parents are always welcome at the Junior School and we have a number of classroom helpers and class representatives. The PTIS Parents group is a welcoming and friendly group of parents focused on improving education for the whole school community.
Why not take the time to tour our website to learn more about PTIS Junior School. If ever you are in Chiang Mai, it would be my pleasure to show you around our unique learning environment.
Karrie Dietz
Junior School Principal
PTIS Junior School
The PTIS Playgroup
- Let your toddler enjoy the company of other children, experience story telling in the PTIS International School Library, play in the adventure playground and participate in music and yoga activities.
- Why not attend a free parent-run playgroup held every Friday at PTIS?
- Meet other parents.
Please telephone for more information: K Ju (Junior School Office) 053 301 500
PTIS Junior School
Little Explorers
- Thai-English bilingual play-based programme.
- Children are exposed to many experiences to support them in exploring their interests through play.
- An Inquiry Approach is used to foster exploration and investigation.
- Children will be given opportunities to learn social skills while participating in age-appropriate activities with other children.
- The programme supports children’s emotional development by focusing on social skills such as problem solving, empathy and children’s own feelings.
- Children will be introduced to two of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile attributes of being ‘caring’ and being an ‘inquirer’.
- Parents are recognized as the primary educator of their child. Therefore, parents and teachers will work together to provide the best learning for the children.
PTIS Junior School
Early Years programme
We have our own swimming pool!
We get to go on lots of excursions in our own campus to the Prem Farm (which has baby goats and rabbits), the Cooking School, the Workshop, the Cafeteria, the waterways and streams, Senior School visits to the Art, Science and Design Technology classes, the Recycle Center, the Gym, our teachers' homes, the gardeners’ nursery, the Chum Shop, the Golf Academy, the cricket field, the archery field and to the amphitheatre to present our drama and sing.
We get to play together at play time and have our lunch brought to the Junior School (and you can sometimes see squirrels in the trees). We have our own teacher assistants in every class.
- Kindergarten class
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Curriculum
At PTIS the IB Learner Profile is central to all that we do as a learning community whenever we are thinking, learning, creating, playing, communicating or working together.
Kindergarten Info (2009-10)
The students at the school learn to construct meaning and understanding using a variety of resources and learning experiences that support different learning styles and needs.
These include books and audio visual materials from our well-stocked library, hands-on learning activities, use of the school campus and facilities, field trips and visiting speakers, ICT and the expertise and experience of our teaching staff.
The Primary Years Programme is an inquiry-based approach to learning that begins with our 2 year old class, "Little Explorers", and culminates in the Grade 5 "Exhibition", a student-driven inquiry based on a globally significant issue.
Kindergarten Info (2009-10)The students at the school learn to construct meaning and understanding using a variety of resources and learning experiences that support different learning styles and needs.
These include books and audio visual materials from our well-stocked library, hands-on learning activities, use of the school campus and facilities, field trips and visiting speakers, ICT and the expertise and experience of our teaching staff.
The Primary Years Programme is an inquiry-based approach to learning that begins with our 2 year old class, "Little Explorers", and culminates in the Grade 5 "Exhibition", a student-driven inquiry based on a globally significant issue.
K1
In Kindergarten 1, the Units of Inquiry are as follows:
- Who am I?
- How We Express Ourselves
- Living Things and Light
K2
- Faces
- Visual Arts
- Tools
- Made in Thailand
K3
In Kindergarten 3, the Units of Inquiry are as follows:
- My House My Home
- Water
- Bangs and Clangs
- My Body
- Rethink Reduce Reuse
- Community Helpers
PTIS Junior School
Primary Years Programme
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Curriculum
At PTIS the IB Learner Profile is central to all that we do as a learning community whenever we are thinking, learning, creating, playing, communicating or working together.
PYP Info (2009-10)
Each month at the Junior School Assembly the Global Citizen Award is given to a group of students who has demonstrated one or more of the Learner Profile Attributes.
At PTIS each grade level studies Units of Inquiry that are significant and challenging for the students. These Units of Inquiry integrate a number of subjects in order for students to develop enduring understandings, essentials skills and important knowledge.
Subject specific teachers in Junior School include art, music, physical education and Thai and they provide expert instruction in specialized classrooms and teaching areas.
Children are required to show their learning and demonstrate understanding of significant concepts, essential skills and knowledge. This is done through class presentations, Junior School Assemblies, mini exhibitions, ICT, Student Portfolios and Student-led Conferences.
Students take responsibility for their own learning and can reflect on their attitude and accomplishments.
The education of students at PTIS goes beyond intellectual development, and students are expected to develop socially responsible attitudes that result in thoughtful and appropriate action.
Student-initiated action is highly valued and celebrated at PTIS and opportunities are provided for students to utilize their learning in order to create a better and more peaceful world.
PYP Info (2009-10)At PTIS each grade level studies Units of Inquiry that are significant and challenging for the students. These Units of Inquiry integrate a number of subjects in order for students to develop enduring understandings, essentials skills and important knowledge.
Subject specific teachers in Junior School include art, music, physical education and Thai and they provide expert instruction in specialized classrooms and teaching areas.
Children are required to show their learning and demonstrate understanding of significant concepts, essential skills and knowledge. This is done through class presentations, Junior School Assemblies, mini exhibitions, ICT, Student Portfolios and Student-led Conferences.
Students take responsibility for their own learning and can reflect on their attitude and accomplishments.
The education of students at PTIS goes beyond intellectual development, and students are expected to develop socially responsible attitudes that result in thoughtful and appropriate action.
Student-initiated action is highly valued and celebrated at PTIS and opportunities are provided for students to utilize their learning in order to create a better and more peaceful world.
Grade 1
Grade 1 Projects
- Imagination
- Life Cycles
- Choices
- Get the Message
- Underwater World
- Passports Please
Grade 2
- Getting along Together
- Celebrations
- Stepping Back a Century
- Endangered Species
- Weather and Climate
- Living Together
Grade 3
Our current unit has the Central Idea ‘Electricity has had an impact on modern society’.
We wanted to experience what our life might be like without electricity. We had fun even if it was hard work. We cooked pizzas, had a campfire and did some jungle cooking. It was a great experience.
We hope you enjoy the photos.
Grade 4
- The Human Body
- Around the World in 30 Days
- Creative Co-operation
- Our Solar System
- Agriculture
- Energy
Grade 5
In Grade 5, the Units of Inquiry are as follows:
- Traditions
- Media
- All Change
- Migration
- Sharing the Planet (Exhibition unit)
- Transitions
As a part of the Sharing the Planet inquiry, students also get to go on an overnight camping trip! Wow!
Take a look at our Class website:
5M Happenings
PTIS Junior School
Specialist Subjects
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Visual Art
Visual Arts InfoStudents in Kindergarten take part in art activities within their homeroom classroom.
During these lessons the students are involved in the following areas of Visual Art:
- Creative processes
- Elements of art and design
- Visual arts in society
- Reflection and appreciation
Music
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 visit the specialist Music room for Music with a number of Music specialists. Music instruction includes general Music education, choir and instrumental classes.
Students in Grades 4 and 5 may take part in a strings programme and all students have the opportunity to develop their musical talents through individual instrumental classes held during and after the school day.
The following areas the focus of the Music programme at PTIS:
Students in Grades 4 and 5 may take part in a strings programme and all students have the opportunity to develop their musical talents through individual instrumental classes held during and after the school day.
The following areas the focus of the Music programme at PTIS:
- Perform - singing and instrumental
- Create/ compose
- Listening
- Movement
PE
PTIS has excellent P.E. facilities that include an indoor gymnasium, a pool area with 50 meter pool and pools for beginning swimmers, a soft mat area, tennis courts and an athletics field.
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 take part in a varied programme of activities that emphasizes physical skills and agility, fitness and other personal and health issues.
Students are involved in the following areas through the P.E. curriculum:
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 take part in a varied programme of activities that emphasizes physical skills and agility, fitness and other personal and health issues.
Students are involved in the following areas through the P.E. curriculum:
- Aquatics - stroke development, safety and water sports
- Body control and spatial awareness
- Adventure challenge
- Athletics
- Movement to music
- Games
- Gymnastics
- Health-related activities
IT
The students in Junior School work in one of two computer labs at the school or use mini laptops to work in their classrooms. Important computer knowledge and skills are taught in the context of the Units of Inquiry, as well as linking with other areas of the curriculum such as Language and Mathematics.
Students are also encouraged to be critical and creative thinkers what it comes to using technology and are involved in the following areas of study:
Students are also encouraged to be critical and creative thinkers what it comes to using technology and are involved in the following areas of study:
Study areas:
- Characteristics and uses of computer hardware and o/s
- Characteristics and uses of computer software programs
- Relationships among science, technology, society, and the individual
- The nature of technological design
- The nature and operation of systems
- The nature and uses of different forms of technology
- Searching for information
- Viewing, selecting and evaluating appropriate information
- Presenting Information
- Word Processing
- Drawing Skills
Thai and French Language
Students receive instruction from qualified teachers of Thai or French.
Students begin the study of Thai or French from Kindergarten and parents may choose which language the students study.
Students use specialist Language rooms for these lessons and take part in a range of activities that emphasise the communicative aspect of language learning.
Thai can be studied at differing levels depending on the previous knowledge and family background of the student.
French is offered as a second or additional language only in the Junior School.
Students begin the study of Thai or French from Kindergarten and parents may choose which language the students study.
Students use specialist Language rooms for these lessons and take part in a range of activities that emphasise the communicative aspect of language learning.
Thai can be studied at differing levels depending on the previous knowledge and family background of the student.
French is offered as a second or additional language only in the Junior School.
Thai Culture
Specialist Thai teachers take students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 for one period of Thai Culture per week.
This is an opportunity to learn about the culture and customs of our host culture Thailand.
Students learn about important aspects of Thai life such as food, religion, family life, festivals and Music.
This is done through a variety of activities and often relates to the Units of Inquiry studied in the mainstream classrooms.
Library and Information Literacy
The students visit the library at least once a week to exchange books and enjoy this inviting and stimulating learning area.
The school librarian is also involved in supporting classroom teachers during their Units of Inquiry where there is an emphasis on research and information gathering.
The Information Literacy curriculum guides students in effectively finding resources and using them to answer key questions.
It encourages students to think about the kinds of questions they ask, how to find the answers to their questions and how to present their findings to others.
The school librarian is also involved in supporting classroom teachers during their Units of Inquiry where there is an emphasis on research and information gathering.
The Information Literacy curriculum guides students in effectively finding resources and using them to answer key questions.
It encourages students to think about the kinds of questions they ask, how to find the answers to their questions and how to present their findings to others.
PTIS Junior School
Events and Trips
Event / Trip Reports
Grade 5's Clean Up PTIS (9 Jun 09) K3 Ambulance and Fire Station trip (28 May 09) K2 Baan King Kaew Orphanage (16 May 09)
Field Trips and invited guest speakers are a major source of inspiration and inquiry for our students.
We plan many of these events throughout the year for students to tune into their ‘Unit of inquiry’ or as a research base for students to begin to answer some of their questions.
Grade 5 Camping
Grade 5 students go on a 3-day, two-night camping trip to Doi Pui National Park. The aim of the trip is to introduce students to some aspects of their Unit of Inquiry for the PYP Exhibition: Sharing the Planet.
