Primary Years Programme Curriculum

What We Study – Exploring Knowledge Across
Disciplines in the PYP Framework

Who We Are: An inquiry into identity as individuals and as part of a collective through: physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being; relationships and belonging; learning and growing.

Who We Where We Are in Place and Time: An inquiry into the histories and orientation in place, space, and time through periods, events, and artifacts; communities, heritage, culture, and environment; natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation, and transformation.

How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into identity as individuals and as part of a collective through: physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being; relationships and belonging; learning and growing.

How the World Works: An inquiry into the understandings of the world and phenomena through: patterns, cycles, systems; diverse practices, methods, and tools; discovery, design, innovation, possibilities, and impacts.

How we organize ourselves: An inquiry into systems, structures, and networks through interactions with and between social and ecological systems; approaches to livelihoods and trade practices: intended and unintended consequences; representation, collaboration, and decision-making.

Sharing the Planet: An inquiry into the interdependence of human and natural worlds through: rights, responsibilities, and dignity of all; pathways to just, peaceful, and reimagined futures; nature, complexity, coexistence, and wisdom.

Students engage in a broad and balanced curriculum that encourages inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful connections across subjects.

Language
Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to support communication and multilingualism.
Social Studies
Focuses on human and natural environments, history, societies, and cultures.
Mathematics
Explores numbers, shapes and space, measurement, pattern and function, and data handling.
The Arts
Encourages creativity and expression through mediums like visual arts, music, drama, and dance.
Science
Investigates living things, Earth and space, materials, and physical forces.
Personal, Social & Physical Education (PSPE)
Promotes holistic development, focusing on identity, active living, well-being, and social-emotional growth.

Conceptual Understanding:
How We Think

At the core of the curriculum are seven key concepts. These “lenses” shift the focus from rote memorization to deeper, transferable understanding:

Change: How is it transforming?
Students explore how things evolve, grow, and develop over time. Understanding change helps learners recognize patterns, adaptations, and transformations in the world around them.
Form: What is it like?
Students investigate the characteristics, structure, and features of objects, systems, and ideas. This concept encourages careful observation and description.
Function: How does it work?
Learners examine the purpose and operation of systems, objects, and processes. They explore how different parts work together to achieve a function.
Responsibility: What are our obligations?
Students consider their duties and responsibilities toward others, the environment, and their communities, encouraging ethical action and informed choices.
Perspective: What are the different points of view?
Learners explore how people may interpret situations differently based on their experiences, beliefs, and values, fostering empathy and open-mindedness.
Connection: How is it linked to other things?
Students identify relationships and links between ideas, people, systems, and events, helping them understand the interconnected nature of the world.
Causation: Why is it the way it is?
Learners investigate causes and consequences, examining the reasons behind events, behaviors, and conditions to develop deeper understanding.

Approaches to Learning (ATL): What we can do

Thinking Skills

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Social Skills

Self-Management Skills

Thinking Skills
Students develop critical and creative thinking skills to analyze information, solve problems, make decisions, and generate new ideas. These skills support inquiry and lifelong learning.
Research Skills
Learners gather, organize, interpret, and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They learn how to ask meaningful questions and conduct effective investigations.
Communication Skills
Students express ideas confidently through speaking, listening, reading, writing, and presenting. They also learn to communicate effectively in different contexts and with diverse audiences.
Social Skills
Learners build positive relationships through collaboration, cooperation, empathy, and respect. These skills help them work successfully with others and contribute to their communities.
Self-Management Skills
Students learn to manage their time, emotions, behavior, and responsibilities effectively. These skills foster independence, resilience, organization, and personal well-being.