LCE IB Curriculum Framework
IB PYP Learning and Teaching
"The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is an approach to learning and teaching that engages students actively while encouraging students to think deeply and take action in their own lives. Through the programme, students become internationally minded thinkers and inquirers who ask questions and seek answers with a global perspective. The IB programme fosters a love for learning by nurturing students’ natural curiosity. The curriculum is a rigorous, inquiry based programme that empowers students to take action to create a better more peaceful world."
~ IB Organization
Transdisciplinary Curriculum Framework
All learning and teaching at Las Colinas Elementary is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). IB units of inquiry integrate TEKS into all content areas, including Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Spanish World Language, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. There are six transdisciplinary themes that are explored in every grade level Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade each year. Below are the six transdisciplinary themes and descriptors:
Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, 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
An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
How We Express Ourselves
An 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
An 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
An 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
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.