PYP Curriculum
At the center of the PYP curriculum are five essential elements: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action. The aim of the program is to help students acquire a holistic understanding of six main themes, shown on the outside of the curriculum model, through the interrelatedness of these essential elements.
The PYP identifies a body of knowledge for all students in all cultures, in six subject areas:
• languages
• social studies
• mathematics
• science and technology
• the arts
• personal, social, and physical education
In the spirit of internationalism, in addition to the language of instruction of the school (English), students are required to learn a second language. At IICS, these languages in the Primary School are French and Turkish.
PYP Six Transdisciplinary Themes
The essential elements at the center of the curriculum model are developed and applied in a context defined by the six transdisciplinary themes between Prep 1 and Grade 6 (in Early Years there are four transdisciplinary themes):
Who we are
An inquiry into the nature of 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 place and time
An inquiry into 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.
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, 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 the environment.
How we organize 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.
For additional details, please read consult our PYP Curriculum Guide.
