In our PYP 3 Unit of Inquiry: Where We Are in Place and Time, students have been inquiring into the world of exploration — understanding how curiosity has inspired people to venture into the unknown, from the depths of the oceans to the vastness of outer space.
Through this unit, students explored both past and modern explorers, learning about their motivations, the challenges they faced, and the impact their discoveries have had on the world. From ocean voyagers who mapped new lands to modern innovators like Elon Musk who are reaching for the stars, students developed a deep appreciation for the spirit of exploration.
This week marked an exciting step in their learning journey! Students took ownership of their understanding by choosing their own graphic organizers to explain and present information about their selected explorers. Whether it was a mind map, timeline, or cause-and-effect chart, each student made thoughtful decisions about which tool best helped them organize and communicate their ideas.
Working collaboratively with friends, they discussed their choices, supported each other’s thinking, and reflected on how their understanding of exploration has evolved. Their teamwork and curiosity shone brightly as they made connections between the past and the present — and imagined what exploration might look like in the future.
Throughout this process, students demonstrated key Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills:
- Reflection and Metacognition: Students are able to explain how their thinking has changed and developed throughout the inquiry process.
- Communication Skills: Students are able to express their ideas clearly, listen to others with empathy, and share information as caring and knowledgeable communicators.
- Interactive Skills: Students are able to collaborate effectively and use a variety of graphic organizers to represent their understanding.
It was inspiring to see how our young inquirers grew as thinkers and communicators — making choices, reflecting deeply, and supporting one another as they explored the world’s great journeys across seas and beyond the stars. Each piece of work represented not just research about an explorer, but a reflection of their own growth as modern explorers of ideas.
#IBPYP #WhereWeAreInPlaceAndTime #PYPExplorers #StudentAgency #ATLskills #InquiryLearning #ReflectiveLearners #CollaborativeLearning #ExploringTogether
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