PYP Transdisciplinary Themes

Who We Are

An inquiry into identity as individuals and as part of a collective through
● physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being
● relationships and belonging
● learning and growing

How the World Works

An inquiry into the understanding of the world and phenomena through:
● patterns, cycles, systems
● diverse practices, methods, and tools
● discovery, design, innovation, possibilities, and impacts

Where We Are in Place and Time

An inquiry into histories and orientation in place, space, and time through:
● periods, events, and artifacts
● communities, heritage, culture, and environment
● natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation, and transformation

How We Organize Ourselves

An inquiry into systems, structures, and networks through:
⦁ interactions with and between social and ecological systems
⦁ approaches to livelihoods and trade practices: intended and unintended consequences
⦁ representation, collaboration, and decision-making

How We Express Ourselves

An inquiry into the diversity of voice, perspectives, and expression through:
⦁ inspiration, imagination, creativity
⦁ personal, social, and cultural notes and practices of communication
⦁ intentions, perceptions, interpretations, and responses

Sharing the Planet

An inquiry into systems, structures, and networks through:
⦁ interactions with and between social and ecological systems
⦁ approaches to livelihoods and trade practices: intended and unintended consequences
⦁ representation, collaboration, and decision-making

EARLY YEARS 1

Unit Title: All About Me
Central idea:
Understanding ourselves helps us grow Specified Concepts:
● Form
● Change
● Perspective

Additional concepts:
 ● Identity
● Relationship
● Feelings

Lines of Inquiry:
• Who I am and what I look like
• How I feel and show my feelings
• Playing and getting along with family and friends

Subjects:
 ➔ Social Studies
➔ Science
➔ Language
➔ PSPE
➔ Visual Arts
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
● Open minded
● Caring
● Principled

Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Communication skills
• Self-Management Skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5: 


Action:

● Participation
● lifestyle choices

Unit Title: Senses
Central idea:
We use our senses to explore and communicate our experiences and ideas

Specified Concepts:

● Function
● Form
● Connection

Perspective Additional concepts:
● Perception
● Observation
● Awareness

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
● How our senses work and what they help us notice
● How people use their senses in creative expression (e.g., artists, musicians, chefs)
● How we interpret and respond to sensory information

Subjects:
 ➔ Social Studies
➔ Science
➔ Language
➔ PSPE
➔ Visual Arts
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
● Inquirer
● Thinkers
● Communicator

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Thinking skills
• Social skills
• Self-management skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: 


Action:

● Participation
● Advocacy

Unit Title: Materials
Central idea:
We explore how materials look, feel, and change through play

Specified Concepts:

● Causation
● Function
● Responsibility

Perspective Additional concepts:
• Properties
• Interaction
• Care and Sustainability

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
• How different materials behave when we use them
• Exploring materials through play
• What can we make with different materials

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Social Studies
➔ Languages
➔ Arts
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
• Inquirers
• Risk-taker
• Communicator

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Thinking Skills
• Research Skills
• Self-management Skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12: 


Action:

● Participation
● Advocacy

Unit Title: Living Things

Central idea:
We care for animals by being kind to them

Specified Concepts:

• Form
• Connection
• Responsibility

Additional concepts:
● Sharing
● Belonging
● Kindness

Lines of Inquiry:
• Animals and the places they live
• Different kinds of animals we know and interact with
• How we can care for animals by being kind and responsible

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Language
➔ Arts
➔ Music

Learner Profile:
● Reflective
● Knowledgeable
● Balanced

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Social Skills
• Communication Skills
• Research Skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 & 15: 


Action:

● Participation
● Advocacy

EARLY YEARS 2

Unit Title: Inside and Outside: Our Amazing Bodies

Central idea:
What’s inside and outside our body helps us live, learn and grow Specified

Concepts:
● Function
● Connection
● Responsibility

Additional concepts
● Interactions
● Growth
● Health

Lines of inquiry:
• Different body parts have different jobs
• Different parts of our body work together
• Ways we keep our body healthy and strong


Subjects:
➔ Social Studies
➔ Science
➔ Art
➔ Language
➔ Math
➔ PSPE Learner

Profile:
● Caring
● Inquirer
● Reflective

Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Communication skills
• Thinking skills
• Research skills

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 3:


SDG 12:


Action:
● Advocacy
● Lifestyle choices

Unit Title: Emotional Awareness

Central idea:
We can share our feelings in many different ways

Specified Concepts:

● Form
● Perspective
● Responsibility

Perspective Additional concepts:
● Expression
● Creativity
● Identity/Empathy

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
● We feel different emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, and excitement
● We show our feelings through words, art, music, and actions
● We can understand how others feel by looking at their actions, facial expressions, and words

Subjects:
➔ Social Studies
➔ Music
➔ Art
➔ Language

Learner Profile:
● Risk-taker
● Principled
● Open-minded
● Communicator

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Research skills
• Social skills
• Thinking skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: 

SDG 4:

SDG 16:


Action:

 ● Lifestyle Choices
● Social justice

Unit Title: Transportation
Central idea:
Transportation helps us move, explore, and experience new adventures

Specified Concepts:

● Function
● Connection
● Causation

Perspective Additional concepts:
● Exploration
● Movement
● Safety

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
● Types of transportation (air, land and water)
● Transportation helps us go places, see new things, and make friends
● Rules and signs help keep transportation safe for everyone

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Social Studies
➔ Art
➔ Language
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
● Thinker
● Balanced
● Knowledgeable

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Social skills
• Thinking skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9: 


Action:

● Lifestyle choices
● Advocacy

Unit Title: Plants

Central idea:
Plants are living things that support life on Earth

Specified Concepts:

• Form
• Change
• Perspective

Additional concepts:
● Living things
● Growth
● Interdependence

Lines of Inquiry:
● What plants need to grow and survive
● Plants change as they grow
● How plants help people, animals, and the environment

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Language
➔ Math
➔ Art

Learner Profile:
● Caring
● Inquirer
● Thinker

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Research skills
• Self-management skills
• Communication skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 15: 


Action:

● Advocacy
● Participation

EARLY YEARS 3

Unit Title: Healthy Habits

Central idea:
Our actions can help keep our bodies and minds healthy

Concepts:
● Form
● Function
● Responsibility

Additional concepts
● Identity
● Health
● Wellbeing

Lines of inquiry:
● Learning about healthy eating
● Staying active helps keep our mind and body healthy
● Practicing good hygiene habits

Subjects:
➔ Social Studies
➔ Language
➔ Music
➔ PSPE
➔ Science
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
● Principled
● Reflective
● Balanced

Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Self-Management skills
• Communication skills
• Social skills

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 3:

 

Action:
● Lifestyle Choices
● Participation

Unit Title: Celebrations
Central idea:
Celebrations help us understand different cultures

Specified Concepts:

● Causation
● Change
● Perspective

Perspective Additional concepts:
● Culture
● Tradition
● Community

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
● Reasons people celebrate
● Celebrations of same festivals in different cultures
● Why are celebrations important to communities and families

Subjects:
➔ Social Studies
➔ Language
➔ Art
➔ Music

Learner Profile:
● Open-minded
● Caring
● Communicator

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Social skills
• Communication skills
• Research skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 17: 

SDG 4:

SDG 16:


Action:

● Participation
● Advocacy
● Social Justice

Unit Title: Discovery
Central idea:
Through discovery and play, we learn about the world around us

Specified Concepts:

● Form
● Perspective
● Change

Additional concepts:
● Innovation
● Exploration
● Investigation

Feelings Lines of Inquiry:
● Important discoveries made throughout history
● We play, explore, and find out how things work
● New ideas and inventions change the way we live and think

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Art
➔ Language
➔ Math

Learner Profile:
● Inquirers
● Thinkers
● Risktakers

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
Thinking skills
• Communication skills
• Research skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4: 


Action:

● Lifestyle choices
● Advocacy

Unit Title: Journey to Space

Central idea:
Exploring space helps us understand the universe and our place in it

Specified Concepts:

• Form
• Connection
• Causation

Additional concepts:
• Technology •
Systems
• Impact

Lines of Inquiry:
● Objects we observe in space
● Space exploration helps us learn about Earth and beyond
● Discoveries about space influence life on Earth

Subjects:
➔ Science
➔ Social Studies
➔ Language
➔ Math
➔ Visual Arts

Learner Profile:
● Thinker
● Inquirer
● Knowledgeable

Principled Approaches To Learning (ATL):
• Thinking skills
• Research skills
• Communication skills

 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 13 & 9: 


Action:

● Advocacy
● Social
● Entrepreneurship