You are here: Home / Magnet Overview / The IB Programme / IB Primary Years Programme / Transdisciplinary Themes / Programme of Inquiry: How the World Works

Programme of Inquiry: How the World Works

Grade-Level Theme:

How the World Works
Plans Overview: 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.
Pre-K Central Idea: Wind and water are natural resources with unique characteristics.
Key Concepts: Form, change, connection
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Makes predictions, performs simple investigations, and uses observations to explore
  • Investigates the seasons and observes seasonal changes; observes daily weather
  • Records observations by dictating to an adult, drawing pictures, or using other forms of writing
Kindergarten Central Idea: People use technology and observations to investigate weather and the effects on the community.
Key Concepts: Change, connection
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Observe and report daily weather
  • Identify weather features and differences
  • Observe and determine the effects of weather on human activities
  • Use common tools and technology to measure weather
First Grade Central Idea: The discoveries and explorations of various geographical features have given humans the responsibility of caring for and managing their environment.
Key Concepts: Form, connection, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Geographical features
  • The relationships between humans and geographical features
  • Human values/responsibilities in relation to the geographical features
Second Grade Central Idea: The world around us is composed of matter which can go through various changes.
Key Concepts: Form, change, causation
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Characteristics and properties of solids, liquids and gases
  • How and why matter changes states
  • Natural occurrences related to matter state and state change
Third Grade Central Idea: Our perspective on patterns in the sky shape our understanding of Earth’s cycles.
Key Concepts: Form, connection
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Celestial bodies in the sky
  • Develop observational skills using selected observational tools
  • Patterns of movement in the sky
Fourth Grade Central Idea: Technology impacts on the world of work and leisure.
Key Concepts: Change, connection, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Technologies and interventions of the home, workplace, and leisure activities
  • Circumstances that lead to the development of important inventions and their impact
  • How technology supports/impacts sustainability
Fifth Grade Central Idea: People use their scientific principles to predict weather patterns.
Key Concepts: Function, connection, change
Lines of Inquiry:
  • Weather tools are used to collect data
  • Changing weather patterns help us predict the weather
  • Water changes state as it moves through the water cycle

Learn More: