2104-2015
Macfarlane Park IB Elementary Programme of Inquiry
First Grade
(6-7 years)
Kindergarten
(5-6 years)
Transdisciplinary
Themes
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of
the 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.
Central Idea:
(#1)
Making good choices and
practicing self-control creates
productive citizens.
Key Concepts: function,
causation, responsibility
Related Concepts: citizenship,
conflict
Lines of Inquiry:
-Senses Guide Our Actions
-Individual Actions Affect
Others
-Responsibility Leads to SelfControl
Central Idea:
(#2)
Shared human experiences
create global connectedness.
Key Concepts: change, form,
connection
Related Concepts: location,
interaction
Lines of Inquiry:
-Location Influences the Way
People Live
-Shared Human Experiences
-Global Connectedness
Updated 5/15/15
How We Organize
Ourselves
An inquiry into the
interconnectedness of humanmade systems and communities;
the structure and function of
organizations; societal decisionmaking; economic activities and
their impact on humankind and
the environment.
How The World Works
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.
Where We Are In Place &
Time
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.
How We Express Ourselves
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.
Sharing The Planet
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 resolution.
Central Idea:
(#2)
Careers and roles within
communities address needs
and wants.
Key Concepts: form, function,
connection
Related Concepts:
interdependence
Lines of Inquiry:
-Needs and Wants
-Careers and Roles Within a
Community
-Developing a Community
Central Idea:
(#3)
Humans utilize elements of
mother nature to enhance
daily life.
Key Concepts: form, change,
causation
Related Concepts:
manipulation, impact,
elements
Lines of Inquiry:
-Elements of Mother Nature
-Manipulation of Matter
-Daily Life Enhancements
Central Idea:
(#4) Central Idea:
(#5)
Events overtime develop into People use stories to pass
our history and lead us to our on life lessons from one
future.
generation to the next.
Key Concepts: change,
Key Concepts: perspective,
connection, reflection
responsibility, causation
Related Concepts: sequence, Related Concepts:
time, patterns
characteristics, record
Lines of Inquiry:
keeping
Lines of Inquiry:
-Intervals of Time
-Storytelling & Characteristics
-Past, Present, and Future
-Understanding History & Past -Life Lessons
-Record Keeping
Events
Central Idea:
(#6)
People share information to
keep the world connected.
Key Concepts: function,
reflection, perspective
Related Concepts:
representation, evidence
Lines of Inquiry:
-Gathering Important
Information
-Use of Visuals
-Keeping the World
Connected
Central Idea:
(#6)
Processes enable humans to
make informed decisions.
Key Concepts: responsibility,
reflection, causation
Related Concepts: processes,
sequence
Lines of Inquiry:
-Steps within a Process
-Making Informed Decisions
-Extension of New Learning
Central Idea:
(#1)
Interactions within a
community guide the choices
people make.
Key Concepts: function,
responsibility, reflection
Related Concepts:
community, citizen,
communication
Lines of Inquiry:
-Rules and Laws to Keep us
Safe
-Rights and Responsibilities
Within a Community
-Taking Action Within a
Community
Central Idea:
(#4)
Countries, cultures, and
governments honor citizens
whose contributions have led
to social change.
Key Concepts: causation, form,
change
Related Concepts: cause &
effect, contributions
Lines of Inquiry:
-Honored Citizens
-Contributions to Society
-Changes in Perspective
Central Idea:
(#5)
Different environments
shape the experiences of
living organisms.
Key Concepts: function,
perspective, connection
Related Concepts:
environment, interaction,
variation
Lines of Inquiry:
-Components of an
Environment
-Attributions & Variations
-Interactions Within
Environments
Central Idea:
(#3)
Traditions express cultural
beliefs and values.
Key Concepts: connection,
causation, perspective
Related Concepts: celebrations,
traditions
Lines of Inquiry:
-Celebrations Around the World
-Cultural Influence on
Celebrations
-Family Traditions
2104-2015
Macfarlane Park IB Elementary Programme of Inquiry
Third Grade
(8-9 years)
Second Grade
(7-8 years)
Transdisciplinary
Themes
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of
the 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.
Central Idea:
(#5)
Humans analyze systems to
understand their world.
Key Concepts: form,
perspective, responsibility
Related Concepts: system,
interdependence
Lines of Inquiry:
-Characteristics of a
System
-Effects on Personal Life
-Enhancements Within
Systems
How We Organize
Ourselves
An inquiry into the
interconnectedness of humanmade systems and communities;
the structure and function of
organizations; societal decisionmaking; economic activities and
their impact on humankind and
the environment.
Central Idea:
(#6)
Forces act upon human
societies to stimulate a
response.
Key Concepts: reflection,
causation, responsibility
Related Concepts: force,
response
Lines of Inquiry:
-Types of Forces
-Effects on Human Societies
-Response to Force
Where We Are In Place &
Time
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.
How We Express Ourselves
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.
Central Idea:
(#2) Central Idea:
(#4)
Cultural differences stimulate People commemorate history
change within indigenous
through symbolic representation.
populations.
Key Concepts: reflection,
Key Concepts: function, form, perspective, connection
change
Related Concepts: symbols,
Related Concepts: sequence, resources
Lines of Inquiry:
culture, indigenous
Lines of Inquiry:
-Accomplishments of Various
-Use of Timelines
Groups
-Indigenous Populations
-Symbolic Representations
-Effects of Cultural
-Use of Natural Resources
Differences
Central Idea:
(#1) Central Idea:
(#5) Central Idea:
(#4) Central Idea:
(#2) Central Idea:
(#3)
Beliefs, values, and personal People organize information to Perception influences our
Family life changes over time as The arts convey knowledge
responsibilities shape
make sense of the world.
understanding of the natural a result of cultural values and and express perspective.
societies.
geography.
Key Concepts: causation, form, world and human societies.
Key Concepts: perspective,
Key Concepts: responsibility, function
Key Concepts: function,
Key Concepts: function,
change, connection
function, change
Related Concepts:
connection, causation
perspective, change
Related Concepts:
Related Concepts: culture,
Related Concepts:
Related Concepts: family,
organization, boundaries
communication, interpretation
perception, distance, value
government, visionary
Lines of Inquiry
culture
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines of Inquiry:
-Classification Systems
-Perspective Influences Ideas
-Systems of Trade
-Civic Virtues
-Learning Family History
-Natural & Man-made
-Interpretation of Literature
Through Sources
-Responsibilities of
-Influence of Distance
Boundaries
-Cultural Influences on the Arts
Government
-Family Life Histories
-Reference and Organizational -Perception & Our World
-Geography and Cultural
-Role of Leaders and
Tools
Influences
Visionaries in Society
Updated 5/15/15
Central Idea:
(#1)
Humans evaluate patterns to
understand order.
Key Concepts: function,
connection
Related Concepts: geography,
patterns
Lines of Inquiry:
-Maps and Their Purposes
-Patterns Enhance
Understanding
How The World Works
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.
Sharing The Planet
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 resolution.
Central Idea:
(#3)
Living things respond to
challenges through
movement.
Key Concepts: function,
causation, change
Related Concepts:
immigration, movement
Lines of Inquiry:
-Meeting Basic Needs
-Reasons for Immigration
-Effects of Movement on
Living Things
Central Idea:
(#6)
Humans preserve their
natural environment to
sustain future life.
Key Concepts: form,
reflection, responsibility
Related Concepts:
sustainability, harmony
Lines of Inquiry:
-Pollution of the Natural
Environment
-Environmental
Responsibilities
-Future Effects of
Preservation
2104-2015
Macfarlane Park IB Elementary Programme of Inquiry
Fifth Grade
(10-11 years)
Fourth Grade
(9-10 years)
Transdisciplinary
Themes
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of the
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.
Central Idea:
(#5)
Inhabitants influence their
environment over time.
Key Concepts: connection,
causation, change
Related Concepts: pioneer,
time, influence
Lines of Inquiry:
-Types of Inhabitants
-Influences on the Environment
-Changes Over Time
How We Organize
Ourselves
An inquiry into the
interconnectedness of humanmade systems and
communities; the structure and
function of organizations;
societal decision-making;
economic activities and their
impact on humankind and the
environment.
Central Idea:
(#3)
Societal changes and
economic decisions are
dependent on one another.
Key Concepts: form, function,
responsibility
Related Concepts: response,
impact, economy
Lines of Inquiry:
-Financial Challenges
-Economic Conditions
-Response to Societal
Changes
Central Idea:
(#1) Central Idea:
(#4)
People interact with their
Individual roles create
environment to survive.
balance and
Key Concepts: function,
interconnectedness.
connection
Key Concepts: form, connection,
Related Concepts: interaction, responsibility
Related Concepts: roles,
adaptation
communication, balance
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines of Inquiry:
-Tools Used for
-Individual Roles
Investigation
-Interconnectedness of Roles
-Adaptations and
-Connection Creates Balance
Environment
Updated 5/15/15
How The World Works
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.
Where We Are In Place &
Time
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.
How We Express Ourselves
Sharing The Planet
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 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 resolution.
Central Idea:
(#2) Central Idea:
(#6) Central Idea:
Water is a vital resource that Human journeys allow us to (#4)
discover our place in the
Passion influences the
influences life on Earth.
choices people make.
Key Concepts: form, change, world.
Key Concepts: responsibility, Key Concepts: function,
connection
perspective, reflection
perspective, reflection
Related Concepts:
Related Concepts: rights,
Related
Concepts:
resources, value, influence
aesthetics
discovery, evolution
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines of Inquiry:
Lines
of
Inquiry:
-Water as a Resource
-Effects of Civil Rights
-Discovery
through
Journeys
-Changes in Matter
-Human Passion
-Development
of
-Influence of Water on
-Aesthetic Appreciation
Government
Human Life
-Our Place in the World
Central Idea:
(#1)
Peaceful solutions address
conflict across cultures and
throughout history.
Key Concepts: causation,
change, responsibility
Related Concepts: conflict,
diversity, peace
Lines of Inquiry:
-Causes of Conflict
-Conflict Resolution and
Management
-Peaceful Interactions
Central Idea:
(#3)
Laws provide structure for
the universe.
Key Concepts: form,
responsibility, causation
Related Concepts: structure,
laws
Lines of Inquiry:
-Laws of Nature
-Societal Laws
-Laws Leading to Structure
Central Idea:
(#5)
Living things share Earth’s
resources to sustain life.
Key Concepts: perspective,
function, change
Related Concepts: resources,
expansion, response
Lines of Inquiry:
-Resources to Sustain Life
-Sharing of Resources
-Life Responses
Central Idea:
(#2) Central Idea:
(#6)
Global communities change in People use forms of
response to exploration.
expression to address global
Key Concepts: causation,
issues.
change, connection
Key Concepts: reflection,
Related Concepts: exploration, responsibility, form
navigation
Related Concepts: expression,
Lines of Inquiry:
culture, action
-Reasons for Exploration
Lines of Inquiry:
-Influence of Exploration
-Global Issues
on Communities
-Making a Difference
-Technological
-Forms of Expression
Advancements in Exploration