Published June 2014

American International School Dhaka Program of Inquiry 2014 2015

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.
Where we are in time and place

An inquiry into our 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, cultural beliefs and
values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend
and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the
aesthetic

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.
How we organise ourselves

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.
Sharing the planet

An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the
struggle to share finite resources with other
people and other living things; communities and
the relationships within and between them; access
to equal opportunities; peace and conflict
resolution.
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All About Me
Central Idea:
Sharing our similarities and differences in a variety
of ways helps us learn about ourselves.

Key concepts: change, reflection

Related concepts: similarities, differences,
growth

Lines of inquiry:
Ways we are independent
Exploring our physical and mental growth
Recognizing how we change





Feelings
Central idea:
Play can be used to express our feelings and
ideas.

Key concepts: connection, perspective

Related concepts: beliefs, representation

Lines of inquiry
Communicating through play
Imaginative use of everyday materials
Making good choices through play


Young Scientists (YEAR LONG)
Central idea:
Through exploring, observing and communicating
we learn to make sense of the things around us.

Key concepts: function, causation,

Related concepts: investigation, safety in
science, behavior, pattern

Lines of inquiry
Investigating the way objects work
Natural and manmade phenomena
Simple cause and effect
Ways to represent the physical world
around us

Creatures around us
Central Idea:
Living things have certain requirements in order to
grow and stay healthy.

Key concepts: form, connection, responsibility

Related concepts: classification,
interdependence

Lines of inquiry:
Characteristics of living things
Our needs and the needs of other living things
Our responsibility for the well being of other
living things


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Friends
Central idea:
Nurturing friendships can lead to new possibilities
and understandings.

Key concepts: function, reflection

Related concepts: conflict, cooperation,
interdependence

Lines of inquiry:
How friendships are made and kept
Why people need friends
Learning about ourselves through our friends.

Where We Are in Time & Place
Central Idea:
Through exploring our connections we can learn
about places we are from and where we live now.

Key concepts: connection, reflection

Related concepts: communication, cooperation,
diversity,

Lines of inquiry:
Our connections to the host country
Finding commonalities with where we are from
Appreciating our diversity

We Love Stories (YEAR LONG)
Central Idea:
Stories inform and provoke us and give us
pleasure.

Key concepts: form, causation, perspective,
connection

Related concepts: expression, sequencing

Lines of inquiry:
What a story is
What stories convey
How stories are created and shared
Feelings and emotions that stories evoke

Day & Night
Central idea:
The cycle of day and night affects all living things
and their activities.

Key concepts: function, connection, change

Related concepts: light, reflection, sequencing,
time cycles

Lines of inquiry:
The cycle of night and day (light & dark)
How day and night affects our activities
How light and dark affects the appearance of
objects
Why light and dark effects the movement of
other living things







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Senses
Central Idea:
Sensory information can help us explore our world
and develop new understandings about ourselves.

Key concepts: function, reflection

Related concepts: interpretation, safety, self-
awareness

Lines of inquiry:
How we use our senses
Sensory perceptions
What my senses can do
Why we need senses

Personal Histories
Central Idea:
Reflecting on our personal histories can help us
better understand the past and present.

Key concepts: change, reflection, function

Related concepts: history, identity, family,
growth, diversity

Lines of inquiry:
Documenting our personal histories
Exploring the ways we change
Reflecting on past experience
Connections between our past and present
Creativity
Central idea:
Creativity can be an expression of peoples ideas
and emotions.

Key concepts: connection, perspective,

Related concepts: imagination, expression,
creativity, performance

Lines of inquiry:
The role of imagination in creative endeavours
How people express their creativity
Transforming ideas into creative products
Learning to appreciate creativity

Materials
Central Idea:
Exploring and classifying diverse matter can help
people become knowledgeable about science.

Key concepts: form, causation, change

Related concepts: behavior, properties,
prediction, transformation, observation

Lines of inquiry:
The diversity of matter
Predicting how matter behaves and transforms
Recording and communicating scientific
findings

Organization
Central Idea:
Organization can help a community thrive.

Key concepts: connection, responsibility

Related concepts: interdependence,
organization,

Lines of inquiry
Indentifying communities we are part of
Why organization is important in communities
How peoples roles can help a community
function

Plants
Central Idea:
Plants and other living things have an
interdependent relationship.

Key concepts: form, connection

Related concepts: interdependence, properties,
interactions, nurture

Lines of inquiry:
The properties of plants
What plants provide for us and for other living
things
The relationship between plants and other
living things
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Well-being
Central idea:
People can make choices that affect their
wellbeing.

Key concepts: causation, reflection

Related concepts: balance, consequences, well
being, nutrition, choices

Lines of inquiry:
Components of wellbeing
How our choices affect our wellbeing
How we achieve balance in our lives
Homes Around the World
Central Idea:
Homes are designed to fulfil many purposes.

Key concepts: function, form,

Related concepts: home, family, tradition, needs
& wants

Lines of inquiry:
Structure and function of homes
Why homes around the world differ
How homes are designed
Comparing homes around the world



A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
Central idea:
People communicate ideas and information
through visual language

Key concepts: form, perspective

Related concepts: communication, symbols,
gestures, colour

Lines of inquiry:
Purposes and role of visual language
Techniques used in visual language
Interpreting visual language
Representing our experiences through visual
mediums
Cycles
Central Idea:
Cycles are a natural part of life.

Key concepts: change, connection,

Related concepts: cycles, seasons, patterns,
time, transformation
Subject focus:Key concepts: change, connection
Lines of inquiry:
Earths natural cycles
How earths cycles affect living things
Life cycles
Investigating patterns within cycles


Our Communities
Central Idea:
By choosing to share their talents and skills people can
serve their community.

Key concepts: responsibility, perspective,
reflection

Related concepts: citizenship, community,
service, role

Lines of inquiry:
Service within communities
Roles and responsibilities within a community
Identifying how we can contribute to a
community
Ecosystems
Central Idea:
Ecosystems require balance for survival.

Key concepts: causation, form

Related concepts: habitats, balance,
ecosystems, conservation, classification, biomes

Lines of inquiry:
How ecosystems work
Interdependence of living things
How humans can affect ecosystems



Published June 2014




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.
Where we are in time and place

An inquiry into our 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, cultural beliefs and values;
the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy
our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic

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.
How we organise ourselves

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.
Sharing the planet

An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the
struggle to share finite resources with other
people and other living things; communities and
the relationships within and between them;
access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict
resolution.
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Connecting Cultures
Central idea:
Throughout their lives, people can be enriched by
the cultures they connect with.

Key concepts: reflection, perspective

Related concepts: identity, diversity, family,
culture

Lines of inquiry:
What culture is
How experiences can influence our perspective
Learning to respect other peoples identities
and beliefs
Changing Cities
Central Idea:
Cities are unique and evolve over time due to the
changing demands of life.

Key concepts: form, causation, change

Related concepts: growth, systems, structure,
needs/wants

Lines of inquiry:
The characteristics of cities around the world
How cities change over time
Why people influence change within cities

Authors & Illustrators
Central idea:
Authors and illustrators express their ideas and
feelings in a variety of creative ways.

Key concepts: connection, reflection

Related concepts: structure, pattern, sequence,
communication, creativity

Lines of inquiry:
The work of authors and illustrators
The inspiration behind authors and illustrators
creativity
Strategies to enhance creativity
Choosing mediums to express ideas and
feelings

Simple Machines
Central Idea:
By manipulating the world around us machines
can enrich our lives.

Key concepts: form, function, connection

Related concepts: structure, forces, systems, role

Lines of inquiry:
The features of simple machines
The principles that make simple machines work
Applications of simple machines
How simple machines enhance our lifestyles



From Field to Table
Central Idea:
Food production is a complex process that affects
people and the planet.

Key concepts: function, change, connection

Related concepts: roles, systems, cooperation
transformation, relationships

Lines of inquiry:
Where our food comes from
The way that foods are grown and processed
People and technology used to process foods
Pros and cons of food production
Sustainable environments
Central Idea:
Our actions can affect the state of the earths
natural resources.

Key concepts: causation, responsibility

Related concepts: waste, natural resources,
Sustainability, action

Lines of inquiry:
The limited nature of the earths resources
Human actions that impact the environment
Personal choices that help sustain the
environment
Reusing and recycling different materials


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The Human Body
Central Idea:
We can make healthy choices by understanding
the interdependence of our bodies systems.

Key concepts: function, connection, reflection

Related concepts: systems, interdependence

Lines of inquiry:
The systems of the body
How the systems work together
Striving to become balanced



Exploration
Central idea:
Interpretation of exploration shapes the way we
see the world.

Key concepts: causation, change, perspective

Related concepts: opinions, transformation,
consequences

Lines of inquiry:
Past, present and future exploration
Impact of exploration
Points of view in historical accounts


Looking into the Mirror
Central idea:
People use many different forms to express
themselves.

Key concepts: perspective, reflection

Related concepts: identity, expression, strength,
fame

Lines of inquiry:
The diverse ways in which we express
ourselves
How everyone can express their uniqueness
through creative forms
Extending our personal creativity through
reflection
Organisms and Their Environments
Central Idea:
The interaction between organisms and their
environment creates challenges and diversity for
life on planet earth.

Key concepts: change, function, causation

Related concepts: adaptation, survival,

Lines of inquiry
The biological needs of living things
The relationship between big and small living
things
Survival and extinction
Our role in sustaining life on earth


People Helping People
Central Idea:
Collaboration can help us find meaningful
solutions.

Key concepts: causation, responsibility, reflection

Related concepts: poverty, sustainability,
decision-making

Lines of Inquiry:
Why people collaborate
Working together to find sustainable solutions
for people
Making effective decisions and evaluating
meaningful solutions


Water
Central idea:
The geographical distribution and access to
useable water can impact living things.

Key concepts: form, connection, reflection,

Related concepts: resources, interdependence,
sustainability, geography, fairness

Lines of inquiry:
Evaluating and analysing water usage
Access to useable water
Sustainable water usage
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Online Communities
Central Idea:
Online communities create new demands and
possibilities that can help us discover who we are.

Key Concepts: connection, responsibility

Related concepts: networks, citizenship

Lines of Inquiry:
Becoming a digital citizen
Finding commonalities through online
communities
Making informed choices


People on the move
Central Idea:
Human migration is a response to challenge and
opportunity.

Key concepts: causation, perspective, reflection

Related concepts: history, population, conflict

Lines of inquiry:
The geography of migration
Causes of migration
How people maintain their culture in a new
country


Belief Systems
Central idea:
Rituals, traditions and artifacts can help people
sustain and express their cultural beliefs and
values.

Key concepts: Reflection / perspective

Related concepts: traditions, values, identity,
artefacts

Lines of inquiry:
Origins and meanings of different cultural
rituals, traditions and artefacts
Connections between beliefs and values
How we maintain cultural and personal well-
being

Materials
Central idea:
Materials can undergo permanent or temporary
changes, which can affect society and the
environment.

Key concepts: form, causation, change

Related concepts: behaviour, transformation,
application

Lines of inquiry:
The nature of chemical and physical changes
States of matter and their properties
Variables that can affect matter
How materials can affect the environment

Governance
Central idea:
Governmental systems can promote or deny the
rights of people.

Key concepts: function, form,

Related concepts: agents of change, citizenship,
equality

Lines of inquiry:
Types of governance
Responsibilities of governments
Rights and responsibilities of citizens
How governments make decisions
Natural Disasters
Central idea:
Anticipating the patterns and consequences of
natural disasters empowers people to take action.

Key concepts: form, connection, causation

Related concepts: patterns, weather,
preparedness, consequences

Lines of inquiry:
Causes and effects of natural disasters
How humans anticipate patterns and prepare
for natural disasters
Actions people take in response to natural
disasters
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The Circle of Life
Central Idea:
Responsible decision-making can helps us
navigate changes we experience through the life
cycle.

Key concepts: function, change, responsibility

Related concepts: cycles, growth, maturation

Lines of inquiry:
Stages of development
Physical, social and emotional changes
Responsible decision-making
Making healthy choices

PYP Exhibition
Central Idea:
TO BE DECIDED


Media & Technology
Central Idea:
Media and technology empowers people to create,
extend and challenge our perception of the world.

Key concepts: perspective, change, function

Related concepts: communication, bias
audience, creativity

Lines of inquiry:
Creativity through media and technology
Why the media influences people
Reporting on and shaping our world

Energy
Central idea:
Energy exists in different forms and can be used
and conserved in many ways.

Key concepts: change, connection

Related concepts: renewable & non-renewable,
conservation

Lines of inquiry:
Comparing forms and sources of energy
Energy transformation
Energy conservation
How we use energy

Supply and Demand
Central idea:
Businesses are organized to provide consumers
with choices of goods and services, which can
impact communities.

Key concepts: function, causation, responsibility

Related concepts: supply & demand, production,
business conflict, globalization

Lines of inquiry:
How businesses are organized
Goods and services
Local and global trade
Ethics of the marketplace

Cause for conflict
Central Idea:
The limited nature of resources can create
conflicts that require fair and peaceful mediation.

Key concepts: form, causation, reflection

Related concepts - justice, distribution, conflict

Lines of inquiry:
The distribution of resources and our
dependency upon them
Why natural resources cause conflict
Conflict resolution
Living and working together peacefully