The six big themes

The six big themes: I can name the six big themes, match units to them, tell a theme from a subject, and use the key concepts.

1. In the PYP, our learning is grouped into six big themes. A theme is a big idea about us and our world.

   These are the six themes. In each one, we explore a big idea by asking questions and finding things out.

   Picture: A short text called "The six big themes" with a picture of a globe: "Who we are. / Where we are in place and time. / How we express ourselves. / How the world works. / How we organize ourselves. / Sharing the planet."

2. Your turn: Which of these is one of the six big themes?

   Choose one:

   • Science
   • Sharing the planet
   • Playing games

   Answer

   The answer: Sharing the planet

   Sharing the planet is one of the six themes. Science is a subject, and Playing games is not a theme.

3. We explore each theme in units of inquiry. A unit is a block of learning about one big idea.

   Who we are is about ourselves and the people close to us, like the unit All about me.

   Where we are in place and time is about places and the past, like the unit Journeys long ago.

   How we express ourselves is about sharing our ideas and feelings, like the unit Music and dance.

   Picture: Sorting into 3 groups: Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves. Who we are: All about me (child). Where we are in place and time: Journeys long ago (boat). How we express ourselves: Music and dance (musical note).

Words to know

theme:

A big idea that we explore in many subjects. The PYP has six themes.

transdisciplinary:

Across the subjects. A transdisciplinary theme is explored in many subjects.

unit of inquiry:

A block of learning where we ask questions and find out about one big idea.

subject:

One part of school learning, like maths, science or language.