PYP of the IB:  Program of Inquiry

School:   Andy Woods Elementary School

Age

An inquiry into 
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.

An inquiry into 
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 civilisations.

An inquiry into  
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.

 

An inquiry into
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.

An inquiry into
How we organise 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.

An inquiry into
How we share the planet

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

10-11

Title:  Believe It or Not

Central idea:  Actions based on belief systems impact the development of society.

Inquiry into: 

Testing rules

Beliefs that lead to actions

Changing personal beliefs

 



1st six weeks

Title:  Here, There, and Everywhere

Central Idea:  Throughout history, people have been on the move, causing many changes in the world.

Inquiry into: 

Reasons people move

Impact of moving

Where people move



2nd six weeks

Title:  Through the Looking Glass

Central idea:  Art, music, and literature reflect the times in which they are created.

Inquiry into: 

Types of art

Music and lyrics

Literature styles and content

Case study:  American Revolutionary Period

5th six weeks

Title:  Going, Going, Gone

Central idea:  Energy exists in different forms and is changed, stored, and used in different ways.

Inquiry into:

Sources of energy.

Types of energy.

Transformation of energy.




3rd six weeks

Title:  Oh, Say Can You See…

Central idea:  People are impacted by the organization of government.

Inquiry into: 

Documents and events that have established governments.

Effect of government on people’s lives.

Organization of governments.

Case study:  U.S. government

6th six weeks

 

 

 

 

 

     Exhibition

9-10

Title:  Horses to Hummers

Central idea:  Throughout history, societies have had value systems unique to their geography and culture.

Inquiry into:

Indigenous cultures

21st century cultures

Components of culture

Connection between culture and geography

2nd six weeks

 

Title:  Write On!

Central idea:  Personal experiences are shared through personal stories.

Inquiry into:

Personal stories

Expressive vocabulary

The writerly life

The writing process.

 

1st  six weeks

Title:  The Pretty Blue Planet

Central idea:  The uniqueness of Earth sustains life.

Inquiry into:

Earth’s place in space

Significance of soil, water, and atmosphere

 

Title:  Mind Your Own Business

Central idea:  The free enterprise system affects the lives of the people of a state, nation, and world.

Inquiry into:

Entrepreneurship

Competition

Resources

 

6th six weeks

Title:  Remember the Alamo!

Central idea:  Throughout time, human conflict has influenced society.

Inquiry into:

The causes and effects of conflict

Conflict resolution

Case study:  The Alamo

 


5th six week
s

8-9

Title:  Go For It!

Central idea:  Humans overcome adversity to achieve goals.

Inquiry into: 

Impact of adversity on individuals.

Tolerance.

Will to overcome adversity.






2nd six weeks

Title:  I Need a Hero

Central idea:  Heroes contribute to civilization.

Inquiry into:

Qualities of a hero

Contributions and their impact

 

 

 




4th six weeks

Title: 

Central idea:  Humans display their nature and feelings in numerous ways.

Inquiry into:

Poetry

Dance

 

 

 



6th six weeks

Title:  Rocking & Rolling

Central idea:  The earth is changed by human and natural causes.

Inquiry into:

Causes and effects of natural processes.

Factors and consequences of human actions.

 

 



3rd six weeks

Title:  Citizens of the World

Central idea:  Citizens impact communities by making individual and group decisions.

Inquiry into:

Responsibilities and rights of a citizen.

The effects of actions and decisions of citizens.

Citizenship.

 

 

1st six weeks

Title:  Thrive and Survive

Central idea:  Animals have basic needs and traits that help them adapt to their natural world.

Inquiry into:

The basic needs of animals.

How the environment affects animals.

Relationship between animals and their habitats.

Adaptations for survival through inherited traits.

5th six weeks

7-8

Title:  Health Is Your Wealth

Central idea:  Health habits affect our lives.

Inquiry into: 

Body systems.

Nutrution.

Decisions about health & exercise.

Relationship between nutrition & health.


2nd six weeks

Title:  I’ve Got to be Me

Central idea:  The actions and thoughts of historical figures have an impact on our lives.

Inquiry into:

Knowledge of the past informs the present.

The impact of individuals.






5th six weeks

Title:  Writing Rules!

Central idea:  To be understood, written language has rules.

Inquiry into: 

Parts of speech

Sentence mechanics

Punctuation





1st six weeks

Title:  Whether Weather Everywhere

Central idea:  Weather patterns affect our daily lives.

Inquiry into:

Types of weather.

Causes of weather.

Effects of weather.

Relationship between weather and climate.

3rd six weeks

Title: 

Central idea:  Money affects consumer choices.

Inquiry into:

Informed consumers

Free enterprise

Advertising

 

 

 

Central idea:  The use of Earth’s resources affect all living things.

6-7

Title

Central Idea: 

Inquiry into:

 

 

 

 


1st six weeks

Title:  Land Ho

Central idea:  People’s ideas, actions, and journeys have impacted society.

Inquiry into: 

Human travel

Use of maps and globes

 

 
3rd six weeks

Title:  Express Yourself

Central idea: Folklore is representative of cultural beliefs.

Inquiry into: 

Genres of folklore.

Elements of folklore.

Purpose of folklore.

 
5th six weeks

Title:  Circle of Life

Central idea:  There are naturally occurring cycles all around us.

Inquiry into: 

Cycles of living things.

Cycles of non-living things.

 

 
2nd six weeks

Title:  Working Hard For the Money

Central idea:  People with different jobs work together to organize a community.

Inquiry into: 

Goods and services

Needs and wants

Value of work

4th six weeks

Title:  Jungle Love

Central idea:  The rain forest is affected by human activity.

Inquiry into: 

Elements that make up a rain forest.

Damages to the rain forest.

Importance of protecting the rain forest.

6th six weeks

5-6

Title:  All About Me

Central idea:  People are more the same than different.

Inquiry into:

What I am like

What I like and dislike

My school rules

My five senses

1st six weeks

Title:  Eureka!

Central idea:  Technology changes how people live.

Inquiry into:

Changes in technology

Impact of technology

 



3rd six weeks

Title:  On With The Show!

Central idea:  People use drama to represent story.

Inquiry into:

Techniques of character development

Story elements

Dramatic representation


6th six weeks

Title:  Where the Wild Things Are

Central idea:  Animals have requirements in order to grow and stay healthy.

Inquiry into:

Needs

Habitats

Self-protection

4th six weeks

Title:  The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker

Central idea:  People have jobs in the home, school, and community.

Inquiry into: 

Job identification

Job function

Job purpose

2nd six weeks

Title:  Making a Difference

Central idea:  Our personal choices impact our environment.

Inquiry into:

Reducing, reusing, and recycling

Taking care of Earth’s resources


5th six weeks