Who we are

An exploration of the nature of the self; of our beliefs and values; of personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; of our families, friends, communities and cultures; of our rights and responsibilities; of what it means to be human.

Where we are in time and place

An exploration of our orientation in place and time; of our personal histories; of history and geography from local and global perspectives; of our homes and journeys; of the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; of the contributions of individuals and civilizations.

How we express ourselves

An exploration of the ways in which we discover and express our nature, ideas, feelings, beliefs and values through language and the arts.

How the world works

An exploration of the physical and material world; of natural and human-made phenomena; of the world of science and technology.

How we organize ourselves

An exploration of human systems and communities; of the world of work, its nature and its value; of employment and unemployment and their impact on us and the world around us.

Sharing the Planet

An exploration of our rights and responsibilities as we try to share the finite resources with other people; with other living things; of communities and of the relationship within and between them.

K

I am Special

Central Idea:

 We are unique individuals with similarities and differences.

An inquiry into:

·     Uniqueness

·     My physical characteristics

·     My feelings-likes and dislikes

Around the World

Central Idea:

Individuals come from various backgrounds and cultures that create diversity.

An inquiry into:

·     Cultural diversity

·     Personal history

·     Cultural contributions

·     PYP Attitudes

Tell Me a Story

Central Idea:

Stories are universal forms of communication.

An inquiry into:

·     Purposes of stories

·     How stories make us feel

·     Story elements

·     Recording and acting out stories

Circle of Life

Central Idea:

All living things have life cycles.

An inquiry into:

·     Life cycles

·     Transformation

·     Metamorphosis

 

Home Away from Home

Central Idea:

The school is a place where people work and learn.

An inquiry into:

·     Jobs people have in a school

·     Interdependency of jobs within a school

·     Routines and systems that help us learn

Splish, Splash

Central Idea:

Water is a natural resource with unique characteristics.

An inquiry into:

·     Natural resources

·     Water

·     Conservation

 

1

Peace Begins with You!

Central Idea:

Within a community, peace is created when conflict is managed.

An inquiry into:

·   Peace

·   Self-esteem

·   Conflict resolution

·   Historical figures

·   Diversity

 

Home Sweet Home

Central Idea:

The properties of construction materials and geographical location affect the designs of homes.

An inquiry into:

·   Homes

·   Building materials

·   Effects of culture, climate and geographical location on structures

 

Can You Hear Me Now?

Central Idea:

Technology has impacted our means of communication.

An inquiry into:

·   Communication forms

·   Evolution of communication technology

·   Impact of technology on communication

 

What’s the Matter?

Central Idea:

Matter has different characteristics.

An inquiry into:

·   Properties of objects

·   Solids, liquids, gasses

·   Chemical and physical changes

 

All Work and No Play Makes…

Central Idea:

A balance of work and leisure is important.

An inquiry into:

·   Work

·   Leisure

·   Cultural perspectives on work and leisure

·   Use of leisure time

 

Living Together

Central Idea:

 Living things are interdependent and rely on the earth’s natural resources.

An inquiry into:

·   Natural resources

·   Basic needs of living things

·   Interdependence

·   Conservation and preservation

 

 

2

Grow, Baby, Grow

Central Idea:

We can do things to our body to positively and negatively affect health and growth.

An inquiry into:

·   Body growth

·   Health

·   Behavior that is harmful to growth

·   Healthy choices

·   Unhealthy choices

Working Together

Central Idea:

A community is a group of people with shared responsibilities working toward a common purpose.

An inquiry into:

·   Communities

·   Responsibilities of community members

·   Contributions of community members

I Did It My Way!

Central Idea:

People communicate their thoughts and feelings through various art forms.

An inquiry into:

·   Self expression

·   Various art forms

·   Artist Workshop

May the Force Be With You!

Central Idea:

The world is influenced by forces and motion.

An inquiry into:

·   Force

·   Magnetism

·   Motion

 

This Land is Our Land

Central Idea:

The geography of a region determines the type of work and products produced there.

An inquiry into:

·   Geographical Features

·   Case Study

o   Regions of the US

o   States within the regions

o   Work and products in/from particular regions

Weather or Not to Protect Ourselves

Central Idea:

People need to understand weather to make responsible decisions about their lives.

An inquiry into:

·   Weather

·   Water cycle

·   Weather tools

·   Protective measures

 


 

 

 

Who we are

An exploration of the nature of the self; of our beliefs and values; of personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; of our families, friends, communities and cultures; of our rights and responsibilities; of what it means to be human.

Where we are in time and place

An exploration of our orientation in place and time; of our personal histories; of history and geography from local and global perspectives; of our homes and journeys; of the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; of the contributions of individuals and civilizations.

How we express ourselves

An exploration of the ways in which we discover and express our nature, ideas, feelings, beliefs and values through language and the arts.

How the world works

An exploration of the physical and material world; of natural and human-made phenomena; of the world of science and technology.

How we organize ourselves

An exploration of human systems and communities; of the world of work, its nature and its value; of employment and unemployment and their impact on us and the world around us.

Sharing the Planet

An exploration of our rights and responsibilities as we try to share the finite resources with other people; with other living things; of communities and of the relationship

3

Human Body

Central Idea:

Biological systems work to support life in the human body.

An inquiry into:

·   Body systems

·   Health

·   Nutrition

 

Get a Move On!

Central Idea:

People immigrate for a variety of reasons.

An inquiry into:

·   Causes of immigration

·   Effects of immigration

·   Patterns of immigration

 

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Central Idea:

Cultures throughout the world have  told tales as a way of passing down their beliefs, traditions and history to future generations. 

An inquiry into:

·   Folk tales

·   Commonalities in folk tales among various cultures

·   Oral storytelling

Landforms

Central Idea:

The earth is changing due to natural forces.

An inquiry into:

·   Landforms

·   Earth’s processes

·   Environmental impact of natural forces

 

Multicultural Mosaic

Central Idea:

Humans have developed complex systems to facilitate existence.

An inquiry into:

·   Systems

·   Systems needed to support a community

·   Characteristics of systems

·   System functions

My Home is Your Home

Central Idea:

Interactions of humans with ecosystems have positive and negative effects.

An inquiry into:

·   Ecosystems

·   Plant and animal interaction within an ecosystem

·   Human impact on ecosystems

·   Contributions of specific ecosystems

 

4

What a Find

Central Idea:

Human discoveries impact current and future societies.

An inquiry into:

·   Causes and effects

·   Positive and negative impacts

 

You Say You Want a Revolution

Central Idea:

Changes in society can lead to revolution.

An inquiry into:

·   Causes of revolution

·   Self government

·   Effects of revolution

·   Revolutionary figures and groups

Say It!

Central Idea:

Human thoughts, ideas and emotions are communicated in a variety of ways.

An inquiry into:

·   Purposes of communication

·   Interpretations of communication

·   Diverse ways in which humans express themselves

 

Motions of the Ocean

Central Idea:

The world’s oceans and their movements affect the planet.

An inquiry into:

·   Oceans

·   Waves

·