Curriculum in the PYP
Learning the ways in which you learn
The PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to foster a lifelong love of learning in every child. The PYP is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas while investigating big ideas.
The Core Subjects
Students learn about significant concepts (or, big ideas) through Units of Inquiry. In total, there are six Unit of Inquiry themes that are examined in one school year. Click here to learn about each of the themes.
While exploring the unit’s central idea, students learn specific elements from the core subjects – language arts, science, social studies, mathematics, french, physical education, art, and music – and form their own connections between what they are learning and how it relates to the world around them; in essence, students don’t just learn, they learn how to learn.
Teaching with Units of Inquiry
What exactly is a Unit of Inquiry? At Meadowridge Units of Inquiry are formed to teach the whole child. Our PYP teachers design units in which lessons, experiences, and activities teach students what they ought to understand (concepts), do (approaches to learning), feel (attitudes), have knowledge (think), and act (actions). These are the five essential elements that Meadowridge teachers plan in their Units of Inquiry.
While exploring each Unit of Inquiry students use and learn specific elements from multiple subjects, including language arts, science, social studies, mathematics, French, physical education, art, and music.
A Unit of Inquiry Across the PYP
Bringing it all together: A PYP Unit of Inquiry at Meadowridge
Click below to see what a unit of inquiry looks like for our PYP learners. Notice how the units of inquiry, while same from grade-to-grade, develop naturally, tackling greater issues requiring greater depth and breadth as our learners – and their knowledge – grow. As students advance, so too do the concepts explored in the unit.
Please note that the IB PYP Framework is currently being updated and the BC Education Plan has been redeveloped. Our samples below reflect what we have done in the past and are for example purposes only.
Example of a Unit of Inquiry Grade-to-Grade
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.
Meadowridge & the British Columbia Curriculum
Along with a full International Baccalaureate Continuum education, BC Ministry of Education outcomes are integrated into the Units of Inquiry at each grade level.
How the PYP Works
The transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a programme of inquiry. Teachers work together to develop investigations into important ideas, which require a substantial and high level of involvement on the part of students.
Did You Know...
Meadowridge has been an authorized IB Primary Years Programme World School since 2007.
In fact, Meadowridge is one of a handfull of schools in British Columbia to offer all three of the IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP)