Here I am looking at the entire grade levels curriculum and judging it’s balance and coherence.
Sample Unit Planner for PYP Learners ages 3-4.
Who we are
Family relationships contribute to shaping our identity.
Key concepts: form, responsibility, reflection
Related concepts: similarities and differences, belonging, roles
Lines of inquiry
- Diversity of families
- Responsibilities within the family
- How families influence who we become
Where are we in place and time
Spaces and facilities in and around buildings determine how people use them.
Key concepts: form, function, causation
Related concepts: space, structure, design, safety
Lines of inquiry
- Characteristics and arrangements of physical spaces
- How people use different spaces
- Our responsibility in sharing spaces with others
How we express ourselves
Through play we express our feelings and ideas and come to new understandings.
Key concepts: function, connection, perspective
Related concepts: imagination, creativity, communication
Lines of inquiry
- Communicating through play
- Imaginative use of materials
- The role of toys in play
How the world works:
The Earth’s natural cycles influence the activity of living things.
Key concepts: causation, change, connection
Related concepts: cycles, interaction, pattern
Lines of inquiry
- Natural cycles (eg night and day, weather patterns, seasons)
- The actions people take in response to Earth’s natural cycles
- Patterns of behaviour in living things related to Earth’s natural cycles
How we organize ourselves
People play different roles in the communities to which they belong.
Key concepts: form, function, responsibility
Related concepts: community, rules, interaction
Lines of inquiry
- Various communities we belong to
- Roles of people who are part of our communities
- How communities are organized
Sharing the planet
Animals and people interact in different ways in different contexts.
Key concepts: connection, perspective, responsibility
Related concepts: characteristics, relationships, needs
Lines of inquiry
- The different roles animals play in peoples’ lives
- Suitability of particular animals for specific functions
- Our responsibility for the well-being of animals
Because 3-4 year old children are becoming more independent from their parents, they will be developing the skills needed to express their needs appropriately and interact with others as a member of a classroom community. They will also be discovering that other children are people with their own emotions and needs, which will create tension. This curriculum does an excellent job of addressing the concepts and skills that the students will need to grow as independent members of the classroom and larger society. This is a good opportunity for instructors to start challenging students to think about why certain actions are appropriate, instead of simply adjusting themselves to positive and negative feedback.
Considering the developmental milestones and goals for children ages 3-4, the focus on function, connection, causation, and responsibility is essential for helping PYP Learners build their understanding of their classmates and surroundings and learn how to express and react to stimuli appropriately. By 3 years of age, they will know how to express their needs but not in relation to others who also have needs and desires. I especially like that each of the units includes at least one line of inquiry that touches upon how people act and interact. This provides students will the appropriate time to discover how their actions affect the people and environment around them.
At this age, PYP learners will be discovering that they are part of a larger systems that does not exist solely to provide for their needs. They will be learning about interacting with others their own age, classroom spaces and tools, and personal safety. I like how these units can cover a number of subjects but always tie back to the concepts and skills that the students need to develop. At this age, I believe building a solid framework of abilities and conceptual understanding is more important than learning specific content, and this unit allows for that well.
Ms. Lee Makes Lessons 