Flexibility with units of inquiry
Primary Years Programme (PYP) classrooms are well equipped to provide students, aged 3-12, a safe space for learners to work through challenging issues. It is encouraged that in times of need, schools and educators are flexible and pivot their next unit of inquiry to best respond to what learners are asking or needing in relation to events unfolding in the world.
The following unit of inquiry ideas are intended as examples for such times. If used, it is recommended that they be adapted to best suit the questions, needs, contexts and ages of the learners.
Columns
Who we are
Learner profile: inquirers, balanced
Central idea: In times of crisis, people look to support the basic needs and well-being of themselves and others.
Key concepts: form, causation, responsibility
Related concepts: crises, well-being, needs, adaptation
Lines of inquiry:
- Immediate and long-term impacts of a crisis on daily life
- Self-care and well-being in times of crisis
- Making a difference in times of need
Subject focus: PSPE, Social studies, Arts
Where we are in time and place
Learner profile: open-minded, knowledgeable
Central idea: Communities change through crisis and human displacement.
Key concepts: function, connection, change
Related concepts: belonging, home, compassion, complexity
Lines of inquiry:
- Displacement due to crisis and its immediate effects individually, locally and globally
- How communities change, adapt or transform in response to crises
- Supporting displaced people and communities
Subject focus: Social studies, Language, Mathematics
How we express ourselves
Learner profile: reflective, communicators
Central idea: Storytelling allows people to connect through the sharing of ideas, feelings and experiences.
Key concepts: perspective, connection, change
Related concepts: meaning making, well-being, expression
Lines of inquiry:
- The structure and process of storytelling as a form of expression
- How storytelling can connect people
- How storytelling can support well-being
Subject focus: Language, Arts, PSPE
Columns
How the world works
Learner profile: thinkers, balanced
Central idea: Crises unsettle the environment of living things.
Key concepts: form, causation, responsibility
Related concepts: ecosystem, interdependence, stability
Lines of inquiry:
- The connections between living things in immediate environment
- How crises impact the immediate environment of living things
- How communities work together to rebuild immediate environment
Subject focus: Science, Mathematics, PSPE
How the world works
Learner profile: thinkers, balanced
Central idea: Crises disrupt human and natural systems
Key concepts: connection, change, responsibility
Related concepts: social and ecological systems, transformation, adaptation, resilience
Lines of inquiry:
- The interconnection and interdependence of human and natural systems
- The impact of crisis on human and natural systems
- Rebuilding healthy and resilient systems
Subject focus: Science, Mathematics, PSPE
Columns
How we organize ourselves
Learner profile: caring, thinkers
Central idea: In times of crisis people respond in extraordinary ways to help others.
Key concepts: function, connection, responsibility
Related concepts: aid, needs, well-being, survival
Lines of inquiry:
- Emergency responses and actions locally
- Emergency responses and actions globally
- Planning, carrying out and taking responsive action
Subject focus: PSPE, Social studies, Arts
How we organize ourselves
Learner profile: caring, thinkers
Central idea: Individual and collective action can have far reaching impacts in times of crisis.
Key concepts: causation, perspective, responsibility,
Related concepts: equity, justice, systems, interconnection
Lines of inquiry:
- Intended and unintended consequences of actions
- Individual and collective influence and impact on systems of response
- Planning, carrying out and taking reflective action
Subject focus: PSPE, Social studies, Language
Columns
Sharing the planet
Learner profile: thinkers, principled
Central idea: Children worldwide experience challenges in realising their rights to survive and thrive.
Key concepts: form, connection, responsibility
Related concepts: rights, equity, protection
Lines of inquiry:
- Rights of children
- What it means to survive or thrive
- Supporting and protecting children’s rights
Subject focus: Science, Social studies, Arts
Sharing the planet
Learner profile: thinkers, principled
Central idea: Responses to conflict (or crises) can support or obstruct pathways to peace and justice.
Key concepts: function, perspective, responsibility
Related concepts: peace, justice, equity, complexity
Lines of inquiry:
- Root causes of conflict (or crises)
- Pathways towards peace and justice at multiple levels locally and globally
- Intended and unintended consequences of possible responses and pathways
Subject focus: Social studies, Language, PSPE
 offers Educators flexibility in PYP requirements. Find examples of how to adapt PYP units. ){kind=icon}