At the heart of the PYP is a commitment to structured inquiry as a vehicle for learning. Six organizing themes help teachers and children explore knowledge in the broadest sense of the word. The themes are called Programs Of Inquiry:
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
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KINDERGARTEN |
FIRST
GRADE
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SECOND
GRADE
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THIRD
GRADE
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FOURTH
GRADE
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FIFTH
GRADE
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Friendship Subject focus: Social Studies Central idea: Friendship is important in
creating a peaceful classroom community. An inquiry into: á
How we make and keep
friends á
How we can create a
peaceful classroom community á
Strategies for
resolving conflicts among friends á
What to do when
conflicts arise between friends |
Me and my Body
Subject focus: Science and
PSPE Central idea: Different systems work
together to support life functions in human beings, who in their turn play a
role in maintaining these systems. An inquiry into: á
The principal life
systems in the human body and how they work. á
Our responsibility in
maintaining healthy body systems. |
LetÕs Get Physical Subject focus: Science,
Language Arts, Mathematics, French Central idea: People have a universal
need to stay healthy. An inquiry to: á
Keeping a fit body and
mind á
Finding the balance
between work and play á
Components of the food
pyramid á
How to make positive
changes toward a healthy lifestyle |
Exploration
Subject focus: History,
Geography Central idea: Human beings explore for
different reasons and as a result of their explorations have made
contributions. An inquiry into: á
The development and
use of maps and other valuable tools á
Reasons people explore |
Medical Milestones Ð Healthcare and Medicine Subject
focus: PSPE Central idea: Discoveries
through scientific exploration have led to the development of medical
practices and the understanding of how to better care for ourselves and
others. An inquiry into: á
The
human body á
Disease
á
The
history of medicine á
Modern
medical practice Ð a global perspective |
Spark of Genius Subject
Focus: PSPE, Language Arts, Social Studies, Drama, Art Central idea: People
who purposefully cultivate their personal passion can offer valuable insight
to their local and global community. An inquiry into: á Personal interest and potential
growth á Application, adaptation, and
articulation of personal knowledge for a broader impact |
WHERE
WE ARE IN TIME AND PLACE
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KINDERGARTEN |
FIRST
GRADE
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SECOND
GRADE
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THIRD
GRADE
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FOURTH
GRADE
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FIFTH
GRADE
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Our Personal Histories Subject focus: Social
Studies Central idea: Learning about our past
helps us understand our present lives. An inquiry into: á
StudentsÕ personal
histories á
Similarities and
differences among studentsÕ lives |
Celebrations Subject focus: PSPE, History
and Geography Central idea: Families recognize
important personal and cultural events through celebrations and traditions
which may change over time.
Sharing celebrations enhances our appreciation and understanding of
other people and cultures. An inquiry into: á
The reason for
celebrations á
How celebrations have
changed over time á
How people celebrate á
Similarities and
differences among cultures |
On the Move
Subject focus: History and
Geography Central idea: People move from one place
to another for various reasons, bringing with them their own culture while
becoming participants in a new one. An inquiry into: á
Economic, political,
and religious reasons that people move á
Comparison of migration
waves indifferent parts of the world á
Assimilation versus
separate cultural identity |
Our
Place in Space
Subject focus: Science Central idea: Earth is part of a vast
and complex universe. An inquiry into: á
Composition of the
universe á
EarthÕs place in space
and time á
Mythological and
ancient beliefs |
Investigation
of Human Spaces Subject focus: History,
Social Studies, Art, French, Technology Central
idea: The
history, the needs and the resources of a culture are reflected in its
architecture. An
inquiry into: á
The art and science of
designing and constructing buildings á
Evaluation of visual
data as clues to history and culture á
The structure of homes
and cities as indicators of time and place á
Influence of technology
on architectural design |
Dig In!
Subject
Focus: Social Studies, Science Central
idea: Archaeologists
can gather information and propose theories about the beliefs, abilities and
boundaries of a civilization through the discovery and examination of its
artifacts. An
inquiry into: á
Methods of
archaeological exploration á
Essential elements and
factors that define a culture or civilization á
Analysis of artifacts
as clues to the elements of a civilization á
Objects, symbols, and
icons as indicators of modern civilization Case study: Ancient Egypt |
HOW
WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
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KINDERGARTEN |
FIRST
GRADE
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SECOND
GRADE
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THIRD
GRADE
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FOURTH
GRADE
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FIFTH GRADE |
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LetÕs Do Art
Subject focus: Art, Social
Studies Central idea: Art is a means of creative
expression. An inquiry into: á
Why people create art á
The process of art,
rather than the product á
The lives and works of
famous artists á
Different artistic
techniques |
Why a Poem?
Subject focus: Language Central idea: Poetry is one medium
through which human beings express their feelings and ideas. An inquiry into: á
What defines a poem
and sets it apart from other written communications á
Poetry as a means of
expression |
Folk
tales Tell...
Subject focus: History, Language Arts
Central idea: Folk tales, both oral
and written, universally express cultural inheritance and values. An inquiry into: á
Story telling á
Folktales from all
over the world á
The use of folktales
to transmit cultural values and core beliefs |
Communication
Subject focus: Society,
Art, Music Central idea: Humans create symbol
systems as a form of communication An inquiry into: á
How some communication
systems originated and developed á
Visual communication á
Communication systems
that substitute for a loss of a sense |
Formats count - Publications
Subject focus: Reading,
Writing, Art and Technology Central idea: There are many ways of
capturing the attention and persuading a target audience through language and
visual media. An inquiry into: á
Types of publications
and their uses á
How design affects the
message á
Story-telling and
illustrating á
Effects of mass
production of printed materials á
Creating with an
audience in mind |
Building Suspense Subject Focus: Language Arts, Drama Central idea: Mysteries are solved by
gathering facts, analyzing clues, and using all available evidence to develop
a logical conclusion. An inquiry into: á
Forensic science:
logical problem-solving, sequential reasoning and analysis á
Persuasive writing á
Dialogue writing á
Character development
and performance |
HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
|
KINDERGARTEN |
FIRST
GRADE
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SECOND
GRADE
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THIRD
GRADE
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FOURTH
GRADE
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FIFTH GRADE |
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Faces and Places of our School Subject focus: Science Central Idea: Schools are organized to
help us learn and live together. An inquiry into: á
Who works in the
school and what do they do? á
How does our classroom
work? á
How can we help each
other function responsibly in school? |
LetÕs Move It
Subject focus: Social
Studies and Science Central idea: People have created things over time to move themselves
and objects from one place to another.
Technology and other developments have modified means of transportation,
for good or ill. An inquiry into: á
The many varied forms
of transportation worldwide and their specific function á
How developing
technology has affected transport over time |
Great
Inventions
Subject focus: History,
Geography, Math, Social Studies Central idea: From
the beginning of time, people have been inventing new things in an effort to
better equip themselves and understand the world around them. An inquiry into: á
Different types of
inventions and their purposes á
The people behind the
inventions, their motivations and incentives á
The impact of the
inventions on individual and communal life |
Money
Subject focus: Social
Studies Central idea: Economic systems of
barter and exchange have developed over time for use within communities. An inquiry into: á
how money systems have
developed through time á
how bartering and
exchange are related to trade and work |
Getting Organized: The Development of
Government Systems
Subject focus: Social
Studies, History, French Central idea: People develop rules and
systems for governing themselves An inquiry into: á
Different governmental
systems Ð compare and contrast á
Human rights and
responsibilities á
ChildrenÕs rights á
The development of
democracy Case
history: American government from its orgins |
Follow the Leader
Subject focus: Social Studies, PSPE Central Idea: All organized groups of
people cultivate conditions for leaders to emerge. An inquiry into: á
Characteristics of
leaders á
Different styles of
leadership á
Social conditions
which require or promote leadership á
Conditions and characteristics
of the rise to power of famous leaders á
Effects of the absence
of leadership |
SHARING
THE PLANET
|
KINDERGARTEN |
FIRST
GRADE
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SECOND
GRADE
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THIRD
GRADE
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FOURTH
GRADE
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FIFTH GRADE |
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Life in
the Rainforest
Subject focus: Science,
Social Studies, Art Central Idea: The rainforest is a unique
habitat and is valuable to our society. An inquiry into: á
Where the rainforest
is located á
What the climate is
like á
What forms of life
thrive in the rainforest á
How to protect and
support the rainforest á
How the rainforest is
being destroyed |
The Purpose of Parks
Subject focus: Geography
and Social Studies Central idea: As a response to
urbanization, human beings have felt the need to create and maintain parks
throughout our history. An inquiry into: á
The reason for parks á
The history of parks á
Features of parks á
Human responsibility |
Out
of the Elements
Subject
focus: Science, Social Studies Geography Central idea: Animals
have a universal need for a safe habitat providing them with food and shelter. Humans have a responsibility toward
them. An inquiry into: á
How climate, location
and materials of the habitat affect the structure of shelters á
The impact of the
human population on the animalsÕ environment |
Public Health Subject focus: Science and
Social Studies Central idea: Many children throughout
the world are at risk because of ill health. There are ways to help. An inquiry into: á The causes of ill health in children throughout the world á Initiatives to improve childrenÕs health around the world |
Infinite Demands/ Finite Resources Subject
focus: Science, French, Technology Central idea: Water is required for
all living things to sustain life. An inquiry into: á
Water uses for people,
plants and animals á
Preservation/
conservation á
The water cycle á
Water ecosystems and
biodiversity |
Biodiversity Subject focus: Science Central Idea: Living organisms on this
planet reflect both unity and diversity. An inquiry into: á
Fossil evidence and
cell biology of the earliest and most primitive microorganisms á
Taxonomy as a
scientific tool to classify living things into kingdoms á
Species with adaptive
abilities enabling survival á
Homologous structures
and geographical distribution as possible evidence for unity in species
ancestry |
HOW
THE WORLD WORKS
KINDERGARTEN
|
FIRST GRADE
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SECOND GRADE
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THIRD GRADE
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FOURTH GRADE
|
FIFTH GRADE |
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The Way Things Work
Subject focus: Science
and Technology Central
idea: Simple
machines help make the world work. An inquiry into: á
Mechanical
devices (inclined planes,
pulleys, levers, wheels) á
How machines help us
in our daily lives á
What machines are used
at home and school |
The
Unbroken Cycle
Subject focus: Science Central idea: All
living things have their own cycles and at the same time are interdependent
with other living things. An inquiry into: á
The
major phases in life cycles of animals and insects á
The
differences and similarities of life cycles in different species á
The
symbiosis of life cycles in ecosystems á
The
food chain and its place in life cycles |
The Dynamic Planet
Subject focus: Science,
Geography Central idea: The world is not static,
but it is constantly changing, at times dramatically, due to natural
forces. Over time, humans have
developed effective ways of understanding these phenomena. An inquiry into: á
How natural forces have
shaped our planet (earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.) á
The character of these
natural forces á
The similarities and
differences in the behavior, cause and effect of these forces á
How modern science
enables us to understand, monitor, and predict these events |
Energy
Subject focus: Science Central Idea: Energy exists in
different forms and is generated, stored and delivered in various ways. An inquiry into: á
The sources and uses
of different forms of energy á
The collection and
generation of different forms of energy á
The storage and
delivery of energy to the consumer |
Measuring the Natural World: Weather
Subject focus: Science Central idea: Geography,
the seasons, and the climate of a place are intertwined and affect many
aspects of weather and the atmosphere. An inquiry into: á
Data
collecting and analysis á
Weather
forecasting á
Geography
and climate á
Explanations
of weather through science and literature |
Just a Thought?
Subject Focus: Science, PSPE, Language Arts Central Idea: The human brainÕs ability
to receive, store, and transmit information is affected by many factors. An inquiry into: á
Neurological
physiology á
Factors that affect
brain function á
Multiple
intelligences, different learning styles á Measures and assessments of acquired knowledge |