Idlewild Program of Inquiry

Idlewild Elementary IB PYP World School

Program of Inquiry (POI) 2018-2019 (updated 9/13/18)

WHO WE ARE WHERE WE ARE IN TIME & PLACE HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES HOW THE WORLD WORKS HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES SHARING THE PLANET
Grade Level (Age) An inquiry into the nature of self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human. An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives. An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic. An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict
Kinder Kinder Kinder Kinder Kinder
K
(5-6)
Unit: 2 Central Idea: Understanding emotions enables us to respond to our own needs and the needs of others. Key Concepts: Perspective, Form, Causation Lines of Inquiry
  • Properties of feelings and emotions
  • Impact feelings and emotions have on relationships
  • Understanding different perspectives
Unit: 4 Central Idea: Living, learning and playing has changed for children over time. Key Concepts: Change, Connection, Perspective Lines of Inquiry
  • How living, playing and learning has changed over time
  • Similarities and differences
  • Changing Perspectives
Unit: 3 Unit under development Unit: 5 Central Idea: All living things go through a process of change. Key Concepts: Form, Change, Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Living and Non-living things
  • Life cycles
  • Change over time
  • Similarities and Differences
Unit: 1 Central Idea: People’s choices and relationships impact their community. Key Concepts: Responsibility, Function, Causation, Lines of Inquiry:
  • Importance of rules and procedures in a community
  • Actions and consequences
  • Responsibility to self and others in the community
Unit: 4 Central Idea: Our actions impact our environment. Key Concepts: Responsibility, Reflection, Function Lines of Inquiry
  • Our impact on the environment
  • Our responsibility to the environment
  • Ways to reduce, reuse and recycle
1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade 1st Grade
1st
(6-7)
Unit: 1 Central Idea: Senses help us interact with and interpret our environment. Key Concepts: Function, Connection, Reflection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Properties of the senses
  • Purpose and role of the senses
  • The relationship between senses and our environment
Unit: 3 Central Idea: Family histories reveal a person’s identity. Key Concepts: Change, Connection, Perspective Lines of Inquiry:
  • Historical Artifacts
  • Personal histories
  • Identity
Unit: 5 Central Idea: Common themes are expressed through fairy tales and folktales. Key Concepts: Connection, Perspective, Responsibility Lines of Inquiry:
  • Common themes amongst cultures
  • How stories change across cultures
  • Story elements and author’s purpose for fairy tales and folktales
  • Attributes of fairy tales and folktales
Unit: 2 Central Idea: Weather varies throughout the world and affects human actions. Key Concepts: Form, Causation, Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • The characteristics of weather
  • The characteristics of climate
  • The effects of weather and climate
Unit: 4 Central Idea: People choose transportation based on their environment and needs. Key Concepts: Form, Function, Causation Lines of Inquiry:
  • Types of transportation around the world
  • Reasons for choosing specific types of transportation
  • Local and global outcomes of transportation choices
Unit: 6 Central Idea: Living things are connected in many ways. Key Concepts: Causation, Connection, Responsibility Lines of Inquiry
  • Cause and effect
  • Sharing resources
  • Environmental impact
  • Relationships between people and animals
2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade 2nd Grade
2nd
(7-8)
Unit: 6 Unit under development Unit: 2 Central Idea: Tools are used to identify and describe locations. Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Function Lines of Inquiry
  • Maps as directional resources
  • Parts of a map
  • Impact landforms have on how people live
  • Maps change as community’s change
  • Constructing maps
Unit: 4 Central Idea: Creativity is expressed through art. Key Concepts: Connection, Reflection, Form Lines of Inquiry:
  • Purpose of art
  • Types of art
  • Tools used for art
  • Connections between art and creativity
Unit: 3 Central Idea: The world around us is composed of matter which can go through various changes. Key Concepts: Change, Form, Causation Lines of Inquiry:
  • Causes of change in matter.
  • Properties of matter
  • Different forms of matter, liquids, solids, gasses
Unit: 1 Central Idea: Communities form and function based on needs and interests Key Concepts: Responsibility, Function, Change Lines of Inquiry:
  • How communities are formed
  • How communities function
  • Availability of goods and services impact a community
Unit: 5 Central Idea: Plants are essential to us and other living things. Key Concepts: Function, Connection, Responsibility Lines of Inquiry:
  • Plants as resources
  • Parts and functions of plants
  • Our responsibility to the plant world
3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade 3rd Grade
3rd
(8-9)
Unit: 1 Central Idea: We can learn from the values, attitudes and actions of heroes. Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Perspective Lines of Inquiry:
  • Qualities that make a hero
  • Situations that create heroism
  • Choice of heroes
Unit: 2 Central Idea: Inventions impact the world. Key Concepts: Function, Causation, Change Lines of Inquiry:
  • Everything has a purpose
  • Problems and solutions
  • Impact of inventions/ advancements
Unit: 3 Central Idea: Cultural artifacts have a purpose. Key Concepts: Perspective, Reflection, Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Cultural artifacts
  • Cultural history
  • The purpose of cultural artifacts
Unit: 4 Central Idea: Organisms adapt to survive. Key Concepts: Causation, Function, Form Lines of Inquiry:
  • Changes in the environment
  • Ways organisms adapt
  • Types of organisms
Unit: 6 Central Idea: Climate and natural disasters inform human choices. Key Concepts: Causation, Change, Responsibility Lines of Inquiry:
  • Difference between weather and climate
  • Weather related hazards
  • Human preparation and response
Unit: 5 Central Idea: People take action to make a difference in the world. Key Concepts: Responsibility, Causation, Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Cause and effect of decisions we make
  • Problems and solutions
  • Choices humans make can have an impact on the world.
4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade
4th
(9-10)
Unit: 1 Central Idea: Events produce change in cultures, communities and societies. Key Concepts: Causation, Reflection, Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Timelines
  • History
  • Events
  • Cause & Effect
Unit: 2 Central Idea: Geography can influence the life choices people make. Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Causation Lines of Inquiry:
  • Geology
  • Global landforms
  • Erosion
  • The relationship between landforms and communities
Unit: 6 Central Idea: Advertising influences decisions through emotions. Key Concepts: Connection, Reflection, Perspective Lines of Inquiry:
  • Sound and light waves
  • Advertising
  • Emotions
Unit: 4 Central Idea: When harnessed, the natural world provides energy. Key Concepts: Form, Function, Change Lines of Inquiry:
  • Forms of energy
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism
  • Advancements in technology
Unit: 5 Central Idea: Economic systems lead to interdependence. Key Concepts: Function, Connection, Reflection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Interdependence
  • Governments
  • Trade
Unit: 3 Central Idea: The world provides resources which must be cared for responsibly. Key Concepts: Responsibility, Causation, Perspective Lines of Inquiry:
  • Renewable and non-renewable resources
  • Responsible consumer choices
  • Conflicts regarding resources
5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade 5th Grade
5th
(10-11)
Unit: 4 (exhibition) Central Idea: Inquiry inspires action. Key Concepts: Responsibility, Reflection, Causation Lines of Inquiry:
  • Local, national, and/or global issues
  • Beliefs and values
  • The third line of inquiry will be determined by individual collaborative groups and will be varied amongst groups.
Unit: 1 Central Idea: Circumstances and challenges motivate migration. Key Concepts: Causation, Change Connection Lines of Inquiry:
  • Motives for migration
  • Migration, exploration and colonization throughout history
  • Cause and effect
Unit: 6 Central Idea: Art is created, interpreted, and appreciated. Key Concepts: Reflection, Perspective, Form Lines of Inquiry:
  • Creating art
  • Responding to art
  • Art modalities (storytelling, visual arts, theater, movement, poetry, music)
  • Aesthetic appreciation
Unit: 5 Unit under development Unit: 2 Central Idea: Organizations use structures to function Key Concepts: Perspective, Function, Form Lines of Inquiry:
  • Organizations’ role and responsibilities
  • Effect of organized systems
  • Purpose and structure of organizations
Unit: 3 Central Idea: Conflict evokes change. Key Concepts: Responsibility Causation Change An Inquiry into:
  • Ecosystems
  • Wars/Revolution
  • Cause and effect