International Baccalaureate (IB)

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 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.

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 on 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

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 relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

Who We Are
7 weeks

Central idea:
A person's identity is shaped by their environment and actions.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Causation, Connection

Related concepts:

Connection - Relationships, Structure

Causation - Identity

Responsibility - Senses

Lines of inquiry:

1. Our decisions and actions affect our lives and others.
2. The attributes that shape who we are.
3. We use our senses to understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. 

Where we are in place and time
6 Weeks

Central idea:
Observing patterns in our environment helps with navigation.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Causation, Function

Related concepts:

Function - Patterns (day/night, big/small

Causation - Physical Environment, Navigate

Perspective - Positional words

Lines of inquiry:

1. How our observations of the world help shape our
   perspective.
2. How landforms impact how we navigate
3. Using maps to find people, places, and thing

How We Express Ourselves
8 Weeks

Central idea:
People, events, and cultures can be honored throughout
traditions and celebrations.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

Form - Expression

Connection - Beliefs and Values

Perspective - Culture

Lines of inquiry:

1.  The appreciation of how others express their culture through traditions and celebrations
2. Ways culture can be expressed through music and art
3. Ways culture can be expressed through dance and music

How The World Works
8 Weeks

Central idea:
Innovations can impact people and the environment.

Key concepts:
Change, Function, Form

Related concepts:

Change - Exploration

Form - Adaptation

Function - Innovation

Lines of inquiry:

1. How the past influences the future
2. Ways materials can be used or changed for a variety of
   purposes
3. Exploring inventions and innovations

How We Organize Ourselves
7 weeks

Central idea:
The environment affects the structure and function of
plants and animals.

Key concepts:
Function, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

Form - Needs/Wants

Connection - Interdependence

Function - Environment, Weather

Lines of inquiry:

1. The structure and function of animals (Form)
2. The structure and function of plants (function)
3. How plants and animals are alike and different (connection)

Who We Are
6 weeks

Central idea:
Senses help shape our perceptions.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Perspective, Function

Related concepts:

Function - Decision Making

Perspective - Needs vs. Wants

Responsibility - Impact

Lines of inquiry:

1. How we use our senses to understand ourselves and the
   world around us.
2. How we develop understanding and respect for other
   people’s similarities and differences.
3. Using empathy to make a difference.

Where We Are in Place and Time
6 Weeks

Central idea:
We honor people from history who have influenced our society.

Key concepts:
Change, Perspective, Connection

Related concepts:

English Language Arts - Reasons and Evidence, Communication

Mathematics - Measurement
Social Studies - explorers , interviews

Science - Inquiry, questions

Perspective - Heritage

Connection - History, Chronology

Change - Honor

Lines of inquiry:

1.  Our personal histories and how they Influence our lives.
2. Significant people who have changed society through
   time.
3. Honoring and remembering those who made a difference.

How We Express Ourselves
6 Weeks

Central idea:
Ideas, beliefs, and values can shape culture, traditions, and
celebrations.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Causation, Function

Related concepts:

Social Studies - landmarks

English Language Arts - Communication

Mathematics - relationships

Perspective - Celebrations, Traditions

Causation - Values, Culture, Diversity

Lines of inquiry:

1. Expressing our ideas, beliefs, and values.
2. The significance of cultural traditions and how they
   work.
3. Comparing cultures and how they can shape traditions.

How The World Works
6 Weeks

Central idea:
Natural laws can be observed to learn about the world.

Key concepts:
Function, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

Science - weathering, Inquiry, weather, questions, natural disasters

Mathematics - patterns, Angles, shapes

Social Studies - landmarks , environment influences

English Language Arts - Communication

Form - Forces
Connection - Discoveries

Function - Motion

Lines of inquiry:

1. Natural laws.
2. How natural laws affect the world.
3. Using observations and discoveries to learn about our world.
   

How We Organize Ourselves
6 weeks

Central idea:
community is driven by the involvement and actions of its
members.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Function, Connection

Related concepts:

Mathematics - relationships, data, patterns

Social Studies - conflict, ownership, authority

Science - forms of energy

PE - community, self-regulation

English Language Arts - structure, elements, story-telling

Connection - Community Involvement

Responsibility - Needs vs. Wants

Function - Decision Making

Lines of inquiry:

1. The wants and needs of a community.
2. The roles and contributions that shape our community.
3. How community decisions are made.

Sharing the Planet
6 weeks

Central idea:
Living things have needs that can be met by other living
things and their environment.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Change, Function

Related concepts:

Science - Living Things, Adaptation, Inquiry, plant lifecycles, Classify
Animals , Animal Life Cycle

Social Studies - Maps

English Language Arts - Communication, Text Features

Mathematics -relationships

Change - Plants, Living Things

Lines of inquiry:

1. The changes of living things.
2. The basic needs of living things in their environment.
3. How personal actions affect the world.

Who We Are
6 weeks

Central idea:
A person's identity is shaped by their environment, relationships, and actions.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Function, Form

Related concepts:

Science - scientist , Inquiry, questions

English Language Arts - Reasons and Evidence, Central Idea, elements, Theme, structure

Social Studies - authority, government

Lines of inquiry:

1. What good relationships look like with family, friends, and in our community.
2. What we should do and how we should act to be fair and responsible.
3. How people from different places and cultures do things in their own way.
4. How scientist ask questions, find answers, and help make the world better.

Where We Are in Place and Time
5 Weeks

Central idea:
People's journeys and stories are shaped by the land they live on and the history they share.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Causation, Connection

Related concepts:
Not defined

Lines of inquiry:

1. Why people move to new places and how it changes their lives.
2. How landforms, soil, and rocks affect where and how people live.
3. How African Americans have shaped communities
   through their actions, stories, and traditions.
   

How We Express Ourselves
9 Weeks

Central idea:
People express themselves to preserve culture, share ideas and traditions by observing the world around them.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Form

Related concepts:
Not defined

Lines of inquiry:

1. How history reveals the life of peoples from the past.
2. How people express their culture, beliefs, and values in their communities.
3. How people observe and describe weather and seasons based on their perspectives.
   

How The World Works
6 Weeks

Central idea:
People use process to understand and impact the world.

Key concepts:
Change, Causation, Form

Related concepts:
Not defined

Lines of inquiry:

1. People use processes to understand the natural world.
2. Matter is affected by its environment.
3. People make decisions based on their values and beliefs to inspire world change.
   
   

5 weeks

Central idea:
Forces and economic choices shape how we move, share, use resources.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Perspective, Connection

Related concepts:
Not defined

Lines of inquiry:

1. How goods and services are made, moved, and traded in a community.
2. How people use force and motion to create and move things.
3. How people earn, save, and use money to meet their needs.
   

(2025-2026) Sharing the Planet
5 weeks

Central idea:
Living things access resources depending on their opportunities.

Key concepts:
Change, Causation, Connection

Related concepts:

English Language Arts: Reasons and Evidence, Central Idea, Communication, poetry, elements

Science
Living Things, Adaptation, plant lifecycles, needs, Animal Life Cycle

Social Studies
Maps, landmarks , environment influences

Lines of inquiry:

1. How history reveals the life of people from the past.
2. Natural resources influence the way people live.
3. How living things grow, change, and meet their needs in different environments.
   

Who We Are
6 weeks

Central idea:
Our perspectives and beliefs shape relationships with others.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Perspective, Change, Form

Related concepts:

English Language Arts -
Theme, elements, Narrative

Mathematics - relationships, patterns

Social Studies - Maps

Perspective - Culture, Diversity

Change - Traditions

Form - Culture

Lines of inquiry:

1. How location impacts cultural traditions and relationships
2. How different cultures develop, share and preserve traditions.
3. How culture and community shape what we value.
   

Where We Are in Place and Time
6 Weeks

Central idea:
Environment and resources affect survival.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Change, Causation, Connection

Related concepts:

English Language Arts -  Central Idea

Science - Properties of Water, forms of energy

Social Studies - Maps

Mathematics - patterns

Causation -  Interdependence

Connection - Adaptation

Change - Impact

Lines of inquiry:

1. How environment affects settlement patterns.
2. How resources and climate affect settlement.
3. The availability of food sources and how it impacts survival.
   
   

How We Express Ourselves
6 Weeks

Central idea:
We can express ourselves using many different tools.
Key concepts:
Perspective, Causation, Form

Related concepts:

Science - stars, light, sun, forms of energy

Mathematics -fractions

Social Studies - poems, landmarks , interviews , perceive places

English Language Arts - poetry, elements, structure

Perspective - Creativity

Form - Design

Causation - Expression

Lines of inquiry:

1. How people use nature to create art.
2. How people use poetry to express themselves.
3. How the sun and stars benefit our lives
   

How The World Works
6 Weeks

Central idea:
People can use and apply their understanding of science in their daily lives.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Causation, Function

Related concepts:

Mathematics - Measurement, quadrilaterals, time , symmetry

Science - scientist , forms of energy, innovation

English Language Arts - Cursive

Causation - Laws

Perspective - Principles

Function - Properties

Lines of inquiry:

1.  How our knowledge of science impacts our daily lives.
2. How scientists collect data and research during investigations.
3. How scientists communicate their findings.
    

How We Organize Ourselves
6 Weeks

Central idea:

Roles within a system provides structure.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Function, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

 English Language Arts - 
Theme, elements

Social Studies - authority, ownership

Mathematics - patterns

Science - Inquiry

Function - Systems, Role

Form - Relationships

Connection - Structure

Lines of inquiry:

1. Structure influences how things are organized.
2. Roles within a system connect to a common goal.
3. The function of systems helps to attain wants and needs.
   

Share the Planet
6 weeks
 
Central idea:
Our way of living influences all living thigs.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Function, Connection

Related concepts:

English Language Arts - Text Structure, Text Features

Mathematics - relationships

Social Studies - environment influences

Science - Classify Animals , Seasonal changes

Function - Relationship

Connection - Environment

Responsibility - Impact

Lines of inquiry:

1.  Classifying animals to better understand how the environment affect them.
   2. Our responsibility to protect natural habitats and the living things in them.
   3. Scientific advancements can have positive and negative affects to all living things.
   

Who We Are
5 weeks

Central idea: Learning and growing in our world. 

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Perspective, Causation

Related concepts:

Social Studies - Maps, conflict

English Language Arts - Narrative, Theme

Mathematics - data

Science - questions, needs

Lines of inquiry:

1. How our actions affect the world around us.
2. How financial choices affect our well-being.
3. Our perspective helps to determine our needs and
   wants.

Where We Are in Place and Time
5 Weeks

Central idea: Exploration led to change in civilizations.

Key concepts:

Change, Causation, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

Science - Moon patterns, Space exploration, Constellations

Social Studies - native american tribes, explorers

Causation - Consequences, Navigation

Connection - Discoveries, exploration

Form - Exploration

Change - Indigenous Tribes, Discovery

Lines of inquiry:

1. Indigenous tribes.
2. How the universe is used in the navigation of exploration.
3. The motivations of exploration and discovery. 4. The effects of exploration and discovery. 

How We Express Ourselves
6 Weeks

Central idea: Personal expression can inspire societal change.

Key concepts:
Perspective, Change, Causation

Related concepts:

Science - forms of energy

Social Studies - Great depression , Land boom , Spanish American Wars

Perspective - Traditions, Celebrations, Identity, Diversity, Culture,
Creativity

Change - Impact, Progress

Causation - Civil rights

Lines of inquiry:

1. Ways people express their opinions and ideas.
2. How and why change is inspired.
3. Individuals that inspire change
   

How The World Works
6 Weeks

Central idea:
Understanding the natural world drives human societies.

Key concepts:
Change, Causation, Function

Related concepts:

English Language Arts
Text Structure, structure, Reasons and Evidence, Central
Idea

Science
rock cycle, erosion, weathering, forms of energy

Social Studies
reconstruction , Pioneer Life , technological advances

Mathematics
fractions

Change
Natural Resources

Causation
Interaction

Function
Energy

Lines of inquiry:

1. Properties and changes of the natural world.
2. How energy is used in human societies.
3. How the natural world impacts society.
   

How We Organize Ourselves Week 6

Central idea:
Humans may create systems that can solve problems and
support human endeavors.

Key concepts:

Function, Form, Connection

Related concepts:

Science
Properties of Water, Properties of Matter, Changes in
Materials, Magnets, Conservation of Mass

Social Studies
space program , economy , tourism

Connection
Government Systems, Community Involvement

Form
Structure

Function
Systems

Lines of inquiry:

1. What a system is.
2. The purpose and function of systems.
3. The way systems connect with each other.
   

Sharing the Planet
6 weeks

Central idea: We share the planet with many living things and our actions can affect their existence. 

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Change, Connection

Related concepts:

Social Studies
government

Science
forms of energy, Living Things, Adaptation

English Language Arts
Text Features, Reasons and Evidence, Central Idea, Text
Structure

Mathematics
Measurement, data, Angles

Responsibility
Living Things

Change
Invasive Species

Connection
Environmental Adaptation

Lines of inquiry:

1. How living things impact the environment.
2. How the environment adapts to change.
3. How living things use resources.
   
    

Who We Are
4 weeks

Central idea: Living systems work together in order to survive.

Key concepts:
Causation, Function

Related concepts:

Causation -  Consequences, Progress, Significance, Relationships

Function - Conflict, Systems, Rights, Structures

Lines of inquiry:

1. Environmental Changes Affect Living Things
2. Living things and their similar functions and structures.
3. Living things adapt in different ways to survive.

Where We Are in Place and Time
3 Weeks

Central idea:
Exploration leads to new opportunities.

Key concepts:
Change, Causation

Related concepts:

Change - Progress, Conflict, Discovery

Causation - Tools, Innovative Ideas, Economy

Lines of inquiry:

1. The importance of exploration
2. The challenges of exploration
    

How We Express Ourselves
5 Weeks

Central idea:
Investigating helps to discover and express ideas.

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Form

Related concepts:

Form - Discover, Interpret, Investigate, Analyze

Responsibility -Conditions, Logic, Data, Variable

Lines of inquiry:

1. Developing and planning an investigation
2. Conducting an investigation.
3. Expressing results to justify discoveries
   

How The World Works
12 Weeks

Central idea:
Humans find ways to understand the world around them.

Key concepts:
Change, Perspective, Connection

Related concepts:

Connection: 
Transformation, Processes

Perspective
Classification

Lines of inquiry:

1. Patterns help us understand the world
2. Investigating properties of the natural world
3. How processes create change
   

How We Organize Ourselves
8 weeks

Central idea:
Society needs systems to survive.

Key concepts:
Causation, Function, Connection

Related concepts:

Causation
Safety, Systems, Resources

Connection
Climate, Weather, Patterns, Geography

Lines of inquiry:

1. Human made systems and their functions
2. Risk taking leads to the development of systems
3. The purpose of systems and how they are connected
   

Sharing the Planet
40 weeks

Central idea:
The world is made up of many complex situations that we
can create a plan to help solve.

OR

Students may create their own central idea tied to their
topic/issue

Key concepts:
Responsibility, Perspective, Form

Related concepts:

Mathematics
charts , graphs

Lines of inquiry:

1. Students will create personal lines of inquiry based on
   their issue/topic