IB Programme of Inquiry
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
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. | 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 resolution. | |
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
K | TD: Human relationships including friends; what it means to be human Central Idea: Exploring connections strengthens our understanding of relationships Lines of Inquiry: – How relationships are made – How our personal choices affect others – How being connected to my community benefits my well-being Key Concepts: Form, responsibility, connection Related Concepts: belonging, citizenship, connection LP Attributes: Inquirers, principled, communicators Timeline: September-January | TD: Discover and express feelings; extend and enjoy our creativity Central Idea: Fine arts foster self-expression Lines of Inquiry: – Forms of expression – How mediums portray feelings – How are emotions different in different people Key Concepts: Form, function, perspective Related Concepts: Emotions, self-identity, fine arts, dance, music LP Attributes: Balanced, caring, open-minded Timeline: November-January | TD: Natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies Central Idea: Animals have characteristics that help them adapt to their environment Lines of Inquiry: – Characteristics of animals – Animal habitats and environments – How animal characteristics help them survive in their environments Key Concepts: Form, connection, change LP Attributes: Inquirers, thinkers, caring Timeline: April-June | TD: Human-made systems; impact on humankind Central Idea: Pattern systems can be found in daily life and routines Lines of Inquiry: – What patterns are – How patterns are created – Where patterns exist in your environment Key Concepts: Form, causation, connection Related Concepts: Patterns LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, reflective, risk-takers Timeline: January/February-March | ||
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
1 | TD: Human relationships including families; communities Central Idea: Belonging to a group has responsibilities Lines of Inquiry: – Personal identity – How we belong – Group roles and responsibilities Key Concepts: Function, connection, responsibility Related Concepts: Family, roles, identity LP Attributes: Inquirers, principled, caring Timeline: September-November | TD: Express ideas, feelings Central Idea: Fine arts foster self-expression Lines of Inquiry: – Forms of expression – How mediums portray feelings – How ideas and feelings are expressed through the arts Key Concepts: Connection, form, perspective Related Concepts: Creating, responding (art, drama, dance) LP Attributes: Balanced, reflective, open-minded Timeline: April-June | TD: The natural world and its laws Central Idea: Living things are affected by cyclical changes Lines of Inquiry: – Seasonal changes – Living things vs. nonliving things – Effects on seasonal changes Key Concepts: Change, form, causation Related Concepts: Seasons, climate, systems LP Attributes: thinkers, knowledgeable, communicators Timeline: November-January | TD: The interconnectedness of human-made systems Central Idea: People use systems to meet their daily needs Lines of Inquiry: – System in the world – Systems in the human body – Information and communication systems Key Concepts: Function, causation, connection Related Concepts: Systems, active living LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, thinkers, risk-takers Timeline: February-March | ||
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
2 | TD: Human relationships including communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities Central Idea: Communities have a right to express their culture Lines of Inquiry: – Cultural characteristics of communities – Cultural rights – How cultures are shared Key Concepts: Perspective, function, form LP Attributes: Open-minded, communicators, reflective Related Concepts: Tradition, rights, identity, diversity Timeline: January-February | TD: Personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries Central Idea: Communities experience change over time Lines of Inquiry: – Reasons for communities’ locations – What changes occur in communities – Uniqueness of communities Key Concepts: Causation, change, form LP Attributes: Thinkers, reflective, knowledgeable Related Concepts: Communication, traditions, religion Timeline: March-April | TD: We discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values Central Idea: Stories are used to pass on beliefs and values Lines of Inquiry: – Stories follow a particular structure – How people interpret stories – Common themes in stories Key Concepts: Connection, perspective, form LP Attributes: Open-minded, risk-takers, communicators Related Concepts: Communication, traditions, religion Timeline: May- June | TD: How humans use their understanding of scientific principles Central Idea: Humans use their understanding of scientific principles to create devices Lines of Inquiry: – Sinking and floating – The use of scientific method to design and build devices – Properties of materials can enhance design Key Concepts: Causation, function, connection LP Attributes: Thinkers, risk-Takers, knowledgeable Related Concepts: properties, use of materials, liquids Timeline: November-December | TD: The interconnectedness of human-made systems Central Idea: Data can be represented in many forms. Lines of Inquiry: – What data are – Ways to collect information – Ways to represent data Key Concepts: Form, function, perspective LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, inquirers, risk takers Related Concepts: Data, comparisons, collecting information Timeline: September-October | TD: Access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution Central Idea: Respect and cooperation can contribute to peaceful relationships Lines of Inquiry: – Causes of conflict – Roles within relationships – How respectful environments are maintained Key Concepts: causation, perspective, responsibility LP Attributes: Balanced, caring, principled Related Concepts: Conflict, religion, communication, roles Timeline: All year |
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
3 | TD: Personal, physical, mental, social, spiritual health Central Idea: Making informed choices about lifestyle can influence one’s health Lines of Inquiry: – How personal choices about lifestyle can influence our health – The development of the person – Habitats and routines that promote a healthy lifestyle Key Concepts: Change, responsibility, causation Related Concepts: Behaviour, consequences, responsibility LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, communicators, balanced Timeline: September-December | TD: Orientation in place and time; the interconnectedness of individuals, from local and global perspectives Central Idea: A community’s location and interconnectedness can affect one’s quality of life Lines of Inquiry: – Features of communities around the world – How traditions are created in a community – How communities are connected Key Concepts: Form, function, connection Related Concepts: diversity, roles, identity LP Attributes: knowledgeable, open-minded, principled Timeline: September- November | TD: The ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, the ways in which we reflect on our creativity; appreciation of the aesthetic Central Idea: People often express and appreciate ideas and feelings through pictures and words Lines of Inquiry: – Different ways people express themselves – Artists and authors’ messages – Different perspectives of viewers and readers Key Concepts: Function, perspective, change Related Concepts: Communication, opinion, interpretation LP Attributes: Caring, communicators, reflective Timeline: February-April | TD: The natural world and its laws Central Idea: The earth changes due to natural geological forces Lines of Inquiry: – How rocks and minerals are formed – Common uses of rocks and minerals – Causes behind the Earth’s physical changes Key Concepts: Form, connection, change Related Concepts: Geology, erosion, tectonic plate movements LP Attributes: Communicators, knowledgeable, inquirers Timeline: February-April | TD: The structure and function of organizations; their impact on humankind and the environment Central Idea: The role of organizations can promote the rights and responsibilities of humankind and the environment Lines of Inquiry: – Types of action – Organizations and their roles – How human impact has changed the environment Key Concepts: Change, responsibility, perspective Related Concepts: Cooperation, roles LP Attributes: Thinkers, inquirers, communicators Timeline: May-June | TD: Rights and responsibilities; communities and the relationships within and between them; peace and conflict resolution Central Idea: Understanding our human rights may ensure peaceful citizenship Lines of Inquiry: – The rights of the child Global citizenship – How communities maintain peace Key Concepts: Change, responsibility, causation Related Concepts: Rights, responsibility, citizenship LP Attributes: Principled, open-minded, communicators, risk-takers Timeline: November-January |
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
4 | TD: Beliefs and values; human relationships including communities and cultures Central Idea: A community is shaped by the diversity of its land and people Lines of Inquiry: – A community's unique geological features – How communities are shaped by physical geography – People responsible for ensuring the preservation of national and provincial parks, and protected areas Key Concepts: Causation, form, responsibility Related Concepts: Diversity, community, relationships, identity LP Attributes: Thinkers, open-minded, caring Timeline: November-December | TD: Explorations and migrations of humankind Central Idea: Human migration has an impact on society Lines of Inquiry: – Forms of migration – Reasons for migration – History of human migration Key Concepts: form, causation, change Related Concepts: Migration, history, exploration LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, reflective, inquirers Timeline: February-March | TD: The ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic Central Idea: Works of art can tell a story Lines of Inquiry: – The meaning of “works of art” – How art can be used to tell a story – How people view art Key Concepts: Function, perspective, connection Related Concepts: Interpretation, imagination, techniques LP Attributes: Risk-takers, principled, communicators Timeline: December-January | TD: The impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment Central Idea: Light and plants sustain life Lines of Inquiry: – Plant parts, function, uses, and requirements for growth – The development of agricultural technology – The importance of plants to humans and humans to plants Key Concepts: function, change, perspective Related Concepts: Adaptation, growth, plants LP Attributes: Principled, balanced, knowledgeable Timeline: May-June | TD: The structure and function of organizations Central Idea: Acts of service benefit communities and organizations Lines of Inquiry: – Missionary work – Service through collaboration – Impact of volunteerism Key Concepts: Change, connection, responsibility Related Concepts: Religion, history, cooperation, justice LP Attributes: Thinkers, caring, balanced Timeline: April-May | TD: Rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things Central Idea: Human actions affect the environment Lines of Inquiry: – Types of waste – Waste production and lifestyle choices – Environmental impact of different waste management approaches Key Concepts: Form, connection, responsibility Related Concepts: Conservation, sustainability, resources LP Attributes: Caring, knowledgeable, reflective Timeline: September-October |
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
5 | TD: The nature of self; human relationships; rights and responsibilities Central Idea: Developing self-awareness can lead to personal growth Lines of Inquiry: Attributes of the learner profile and attributes – Perceptions between myself and others – Roles and responsibilities change Key Concepts: Form, perspective, responsibility Related Concepts: Relationships, identity, rights, responsibilities LP Attributes: All Timeline: September-October | TD: The relationships between and interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations Central Idea: Civilizations can impact personal narratives Lines of Inquiry: – Personal narratives – Civilizations – Relationships between civilizations and individuals Key Concepts: Form, perspective, responsibility Related Concepts: Civilizations, citizenship, written language (reading and writing) LP Attributes: Risk-takers, communicators, reflective Timeline: March-April | TD: The ways we express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values Central Idea: Art reflects the land, its people, and its resources Lines of Inquiry: – Types of regions and climate – Natural resources – Art inspired by a region’s natural resources Key Concepts: Form, function, connection Related Concepts: Geography, landscape, regions LP Attributes: Open-minded, knowledgeable, inquirers Timeline: November-December | TD: How humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances Central Idea: Electrical and technological advancements contribute to global and societal change Lines of Inquiry: – Electrical and technological advances – How electrical and technological advances have changed our way of life – Responsible use of electricity Key Concepts: Function, change, responsibility Related Concepts: Conservation, forms of energy, technological advances LP Attributes: Inquirers, principled, reflective Timeline: December-January | TD: Societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind Central Idea: Historical events shape personal and collective identities Lines of Inquiry: – Types of identities – Historical events – How identities are influenced by events Key Concepts: Causation, perspective, connection Related Concepts: Identity, citizenship, history LP Attributes: Inquirers, communicators, knowledgeable Timeline: April-May | TD: The struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things Central Idea: Organisms have an impact on an ecosystem Lines of Inquiry: – Interactions of living and non-living thing organisms – Roles of organisms – Effects of humankind Key Concepts: connection, function, responsibility Related Concepts: Ecosystems, conservation, organisms LP Attributes: Thinkers, caring, inquirers Timeline: May-June |
Who we are | Where we are in place and time | How we express ourselves | How the world works | How we organize ourselves | Sharing the planet | |
6 | Exhibition: TBD | TD: Orientation in place and time; the discoveries of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals Central Idea: People throughout history have helped shape the world Lines of Inquiry: – The characteristics and attributes of influential and notable people – Process of working towards and achieving goals – People and their contributions that have influenced our world Key Concepts: Connection, function, change Related Concepts: History, innovation, discovery LP Attributes: Reflective, thinkers, open-minded Timeline: November-December | TD: The ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic. Central Idea: Symbolism may contribute to the perception of one’s identity. Lines of Inquiry: – Contributions to identity – How imagery is used in various mediums – How imagery informs judgements Key Concepts: Connection, perspective, causation Related Concepts: Prejudice, symbolism, imagery, inference LP Attributes: Communicators, open minded, risk-takers Timeline: September-October | TD: The natural world and its laws; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles Central Idea: Through the discovery process, humans interpret evidence Lines of Inquiry: – The investigation processes – How to use observations to create inferences – How to link evidence to a possible source Key Concepts: Form, connection, causation Related Concepts: Properties, relationships, interpretation LP Attributes: Knowledgeable, inquirers, communicators Timeline: March-April | TD: Interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; societal decision-making Central Idea: Communities are impacted by the model of government adopted within a society Lines of Inquiry: – Forms and models of government – Social structure and government – The impact of government decisions Key Concepts: Form, change, perspective Related Concepts: Governments, civilizations, legislation LP Attributes: Inquirers, reflective, knowledgeable Timeline: January-February | TD: Responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things Central Idea: Deforestation has local and global consequences Lines of Inquiry: – Interaction of trees and forests with other living things – Why trees and forests should be valued – The ethical use of trees and forests as a resource Key Concepts: Connection, function, responsibility Related Concepts: Biodiversity, connection, responsibility, sustainability LP Attributes: Principled, caring, balanced Timeline: May-June |