Good afternoon!

It's hard to believe, but as an educator we are already beginning to reflect back on the school year.  The wonderful learning and all the great experiences are being recorded and used to help create amazing experiences for future years.  That being said, this is a great time to remind ourselves of the 6 Units of Inquiry that help drive the learning that is done in the Primary Youth Program (PYP).  Each classroom is inquiring into one of the units at any given time.  They help guide the learning that is done in the classroom, and they give the students a great opportunity to inquire into important local and global issues.

Who we are

Inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; person, 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

Inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

• How we express ourselves

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

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

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

Inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

These 6 units of inquiry allow students the opportunity to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as learners and become actively involved with their education. The units provide an in-depth exploration of important ideas that students will work on in a variety of ways.  Make sure to notice the Program of Inquiry board in the front foyer that shows the units of each grade at SJA.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson