Why the Library Matters in the IB PYP

I love books. I truly believe that books open minds, help us travel the world without leaving the room, and inspire children to see things from a different perspective.

Whenever I can, I start a lesson with a picture book or a story. Sometimes it introduces a new concept, sometimes it sparks a discussion, and sometimes it simply helps my students make connections they hadn't thought about before. I've often found that one well-chosen book can launch an inquiry better than a worksheet ever could.

That's one of the reasons why the library plays such an important role in the IB Primary Years Programme. In an IB school, the library isn't just a place to borrow books—it's an essential part of learning. Librarians work closely with teachers to select books that support the current Unit of Inquiry, encourage students to ask questions, explore different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the central idea.

Even if your school doesn't have a dedicated library, a thoughtfully curated classroom library can become the heart of inquiry. The right books, available at the right time, invite children to wonder, investigate and make meaningful connections across subjects.

One of my favourite classroom activities was our weekly Book Club. Children introduced the book they had just finished—without giving away the ending!—and tried to convince their classmates to read it. If someone borrowed the book because of their recommendation, they earned points towards an end-of-year prize. It was always wonderful to see books being passed from one enthusiastic reader to another.

Books also created countless opportunities for reflection. It wasn't unusual for us to discuss a character's actions and relate them to the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Was this character a Risk-taker? How did they show they were Caring? Were they Reflective? These conversations helped the children understand that the Learner Profile isn't just a poster on the wall—it's something we can recognise in ourselves and in the stories we read.

And inquiry doesn't stop with literacy. A non-fiction book about the water cycle can become the starting point for children to write The Adventures of a Water Droplet. A story about migration can lead to rich discussions about identity and belonging. The possibilities are endless when the right book finds its way into the hands of a curious learner.

Choosing books that are age-appropriate, engaging and connected to your Units of Inquiry takes time, and I know how challenging that can be. That's why I created a small virtual library called The Inquiry Book Club—a collection of book recommendations that I hope will inspire PYP teachers around the world and help them find the perfect title for their next inquiry.

If you're looking for new books to enrich your classroom library, I'd love you to take a look at The Inquiry Book Club. I hope you discover a few new favourites!

From Mind Maps to Ecological Fairy Tales: A Cooperative Learning Project for #SharingThePlanet

Hi all! 👋

I've just found some pictures about a collaborative project I had the pleasure of planning and... I couldn't resist sharing them with you! ✨

That day our classroom was buzzing with collaboration! 🌍💚

Working in teams, my students created mind maps to explore the environmental issues and sources of pollution affecting the ecosystems they had been assigned: the sea, the meadow, the woods and the desert. Through discussion, questioning, and sharing ideas, they realized that every ecosystem faces many challenges—and that every voice matters.

This learning experience goes far beyond Science. It is deeply transdisciplinary, as students draw on everything they have learned during our #UnitOfInquiry – Sharing the Planet, entirely in English. Along the way, they are also developing their #GreenComp competencies, strengthening their communication and teamwork skills, and becoming more confident, independent learners.

Of course, meaningful writing doesn't happen by chance. Before beginning this project, we explored the key elements of a fairy tale and had lots of fun creating stories together by playing a game inspired by Story Box: Create Your Own Fairy Tales. These playful experiences gave students the confidence and narrative tools they needed to become creative storytellers.

And now comes the exciting part! ✨

These mind maps will become the foundation for each group's own #EcologicalFairytale, where the environmental challenge at the heart of the story will come directly from the ideas they explored together. Through storytelling, imagination, and empathy, children learn that even the biggest challenges can inspire action and positive change.

💡 A final teaching tip: If time allows, don't stop at the writing stage! Invite your students to bring their ecological fairy tales to life by performing them as a Chinese shadow puppet theatre. It's a magical way to integrate drama, art, speaking and listening skills, while giving every child the chance to become part of the story.

Because when children collaborate, think critically, create, and perform with purpose, they don't just learn about the world—they begin to imagine how they can change it. 💚🌎

📍Do you struggle with a challenging class, where many of your students get distracted and their academic performance doesn’t reflect all the effort you put into preparing and teaching your lessons? 

📍Does this situation frustrate you, and would you like your students to learn more while enjoying the process? 

👉Something similar happened to me during my elementary teaching internship, and in my latest book, Pygmalion in the Classroom: A Real Experience—based on my senior thesis and my internship at a primary school in Madrid—I’ll tell you how we managed to turn things around and achieve resounding success! 

Don’t miss it! 

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