Sharing the Planet: IB PYP Transdisciplinary Theme on Sustainability

The International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP curriculum promotes holistic thinking about our world's shared resources. The transdisciplinary theme Sharing the Planet challenges students to examine human-nature relationships, environmental impacts, and sustainable living key for fostering responsible global citizens.

See dynamic classroom activities from Susan Acosta on YouTube for inspiration.

Exploring Sharing the Planet Across IB Subject Areas

This theme integrates seamlessly into all six PYP subjects, making learning relevant and interdisciplinary:

• Language and Literature: Analyze stories on pollution, conservation, and human choices (e.g., books like The Lorax).

• Sciences: Investigate ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development

• Mathematics: Model real issues like population growth, resource allocation, or climate data trends.

• Arts: Create eco-art reflecting harmony (or conflict) between people and nature.

• Individuals and Societies/Physical Education: Study rights, sharing resources, and healthy planet habits.

See dynamic classroom activities from Susan Acosta on YouTube for inspiration.

Susan Acosta - Youtube

Taking Action: From Awareness to Impact

IB PYP emphasizes real-world application through student-led initiatives:

• Join environmental campaigns or school recycling drives.

• Volunteer with local groups for clean-ups or tree-planting.

• Conduct inquiries into issues like water conservation or plastic waste.

Taking Action: From Awareness to Impact

IB PYP emphasizes real-world application through student-led initiatives:

• Join environmental campaigns or school recycling drives.

• Volunteer with local groups for clean-ups or tree-planting.

• Conduct inquiries into issues like water conservation or plastic waste.

These experiences build agency, showing how small actions drive planetary change. Explore 

IB action cycle resources for guidance. Download the Sharing the Planet unit planner or 

IB PYP sustainability tools to implement in grades 1-5.

This theme equips young learners with the knowledge and drive to protect our shared planet.

Where We Are in Place and Time: IB PYP Transdisciplinary Theme Explained

The International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP transdisciplinary theme Where We Are in Place and Time invites students to explore their personal identity within the vast tapestry of history, culture, and global connections. This theme bridges personal stories to the bigger picture, helping young learners understand how past events shape the present and influence the future.

Unpacking Personal and Collective Identity

Students dive into their own perspectives, linking individual identities to community and global narratives:

• Personal Reflection: How "I" fit into family, school, and cultural stories.

• Historical Connections: Examining how the past like migrations or inventions impacts today.

• Future Thinking: Predicting how today's choices ripple into tomorrow.

Watch engaging classroom examples from IB With Eagan on YouTube to see this theme in action.

IB With Eagan- Youtube

Interactions Between Cultures, People, and Environments

This theme highlights interconnectedness, fostering global awareness:

• Cultural Exchanges: How traditions, migrations, and trade link diverse places.

• Environmental Impact: Exploring human effects on ecosystems and sustainability.

• Diversity Appreciation: Celebrating varied viewpoints that enrich our world.

It builds empathy and respect for the global community through real-world inquiries.

Critical Thinking: Actions and Positive Change

Students reflect on their role in the world, weighing how decisions affect society, environment, and culture:

• Analyze positive actions, like community clean-ups or cultural sharing.

• Consider negative impacts, such as pollution or stereotypes.

• Empower change-making with critical thinking and responsible choices.

Explore IB PYP resources for customizable unit plans.

This theme equips PYP students (grades 1-5) with lifelong skills for navigating an interconnected planet.

IB PYP How the World Works: Exploring Systems and Interconnections

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) transdisciplinary theme "How the World Works" examines physical, social, economic, and cultural systems shaping our planet. Students learn holistic thinking, data analysis, evidence evaluation, and cross-disciplinary connections to understand global complexities.

Watch educator Kathleen Witte on YouTube for practical insights into IB themes like this one, with tips for engaging PYP inquiries.

Kathleen Witte - Youtube

Why "How the World Works" Drives IB Learning

This theme reveals the world's interconnectedness and how systems interact across societies. It builds appreciation for global issues and empowers students to contribute positively through critical inquiry.

Key skills developed:

• Analyzing natural and human-made systems.

• Questioning cause-effect relationships in science and society.

• Identifying personal roles in sustainable solutions.

Download free IB PYP How the World Works resources for inquiry-based activities.

Hands-On Activities in the Theme

PYP classrooms use diverse experiences to explore this theme, from current events discussions to field trips and exchanges. These foster understanding of cultural interactions and global dynamics.

Service-learning projects connect local actions to worldwide impacts, promoting diversity appreciation. Explore 

PYP unit planners for age-appropriate examples across Early Years to Upper Elementary.

Integration Across IB Subjects

• Science: Investigate natural forces, energy, and scientific methods.
• Geography: Map human-environment interactions and resource distribution.
• History/Economics: Trace societal systems, trade, and economic influences.
• Math: Model patterns, data, and real-world problem-solving.

Link to official IB PYP curriculum guides for subject alignments.

Empowering Global Citizens

The How the World Works theme cultivates knowledgeable, action-oriented learners ready for MYP and beyond. Visit blog for POI templates, worksheets, and transdisciplinary theme hubs.

How We Organize Ourselves: Exploring the IB PYP Transdisciplinary Theme

The International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP curriculum takes a holistic approach to learning, weaving together disciplines for real-world understanding. At its heart lies the transdisciplinary theme How We Organize Ourselves, which empowers students to grasp how societies, systems, and individuals structure their world. This theme fosters critical skills, helping young learners connect ideas across subjects and build global awareness.

Check out practical examples from ISHCMC PYP on YouTube for video insights into real classrooms bringing this theme alive.

ISHCMC PYP- Youtube

Diving into the Theme Through IB PYP Subject Areas

In the IB PYP, "How We Organize Ourselves" spans all six key subject areas, revealing how organization shapes daily life, cultures, and environments:

• Language and Literature: Students analyze stories and texts about community structures and rules.

• Individuals and Societies: Explore historical and modern systems like governments and economies.

• Sciences: Investigate natural organization, from ecosystems to simple machines.

• Mathematics: Apply patterns and data to model organized systems, like schedules or budgets.

• Arts: Create works reflecting cultural organization and expression.

• Physical and Health Education: Understand rules in games, teamwork, and healthy routines.

IB Core Elements: Building Reflective Global Citizens

This theme integrates the IB's foundational pillars, nurturing well-rounded learners:

• Learner Profile: Cultivates traits like being inquirers, thinkers, and open-minded to question organizational systems.

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Encourages reasoned judgments on why we organize in certain ways (more on IB TOK).

• Extended Essay and CAS: Applies learning to real projects, blending academics with Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

These elements turn abstract ideas into actionable skills for social and academic growth.

Real-World Connections and Student Exploration

Beyond core academics, the How We Organize Ourselves PYP planner  invites students to chase personal passions. They link disciplines, celebrate diverse cultures, and appreciate global interconnections—key for tomorrow's leaders. Download IB PYP unit planners to adapt for your classroom.

This theme isn't just curriculum it's a lens for understanding our organized, interconnected world.

IB PYP How We Express Ourselves: Communication, Art & Culture

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) transdisciplinary theme "How We Express Ourselves" explores communication and artistic forms like literature, music, visual arts, and performance. Students discover how people convey ideas, emotions, and cultural identities through diverse expressions.

Watch The Discovery School of Jacksonville on YouTube for engaging videos on IB themes and creative inquiry activities.

The Discovery School of Jacksonville-Youtube

Core Elements of Expression in IB PYP

This theme examines verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual communication to influence, connect, and drive social change. Students analyze art history from painting to music and how culture shapes expression across global traditions.

Key learning areas:

• Forms of art and their emotional impact.

• Cultural beliefs influencing personal and communal expression.

• Using communication for meaningful relationships.

Download IB PYP How We Express Ourselves resources for unit planners and worksheets.

Language as a Tool for Expression

Language enables sharing ideas, building relationships, and fostering cultural identity. It drives social progress by expressing hopes and inspiring action.

Written Expression Structures:

• Narrative: Chronological stories with clear structure.

• Expository: Factual explanations of topics.

• Descriptive: Sensory details painting vivid images.

• Persuasive: Convincing arguments for action.

• Poetry: Rhythmic imagery for deep meaning.

• Creative: Imaginative stories with literary devices.

Explore PYP language arts activities for classroom integration.

Communicating Ideas and Feelings

Ideas flow through verbal (speaking, writing) and nonverbal (gestures, body language) channels, plus visuals, props, and digital media like social platforms.

Key Methods:

• Visual aids: Images, diagrams, charts.

• Digital tools: Email, texts, online posts.

• Performance elements: Costumes, props in drama.

Link to free IB expression worksheets for hands-on practice.

Perspectives in Storytelling

Expression varies by viewpoint, shaping narrative depth and reader interpretation.

Types of Perspective:

• Narrative Voice: First-person or third-person telling.

• Character POV: Protagonist or antagonist lens.

• Authorial POV: Writer's distinct angle.

• Objective: Neutral, unbiased view.

• Subjective: Personal bias influence.

• Limited: Single character's thoughts.

• Omniscient: All-knowing access.

• Dramatic: Script-style for audience inference.

Visit Parijnyanam blog for POI templates and age-appropriate PYP examples across Early Years to Upper Elementary.​