Planning powerful Units of Inquiry (UOI) in the IB PYP has become increasingly important after the updated transdisciplinary themes. The revised themes encourage educators to design more concept-driven, inquiry-based, inclusive, and globally relevant learning experiences that strengthen student agency, authentic action, and transdisciplinary understanding.
Here are eight essential considerations to guide your UOI planning post-TD theme update, grounded in authentic IB PYP philosophy and enriched with real-world classroom examples.
Why Are Units of Inquiry Changing After the TD Themes Update?
The updated transdisciplinary themes encourage PYP educators to move beyond traditional topic-based planning toward more concept-driven, inclusive, inquiry-based, and globally relevant learning experiences. These refinements strengthen student agency, intercultural understanding, sustainability, and authentic action within Units of Inquiry.
1. Deeply Understand the Refined Language of the TD Themes
The updated TD themes now emphasize global responsibility, inclusivity, identity, and real-world issues. Begin by unpacking the theme’s language with your team to ensure your Central Idea and Lines of Inquiry align with the theme’s intent.
𝐓𝐃 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: How We Express Ourselves
𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Artistic expression and communication
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Cultural identity, storytelling, belief systems, digital expression
𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮: Cultural stories and creative expressions shape individual and community identities.
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Students explored family folktales, created multilingual e-books, and interviewed elders to understand the role of cultural narratives in shaping identity.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Always analyze the language of TD themes collaboratively.
- Ensure the unit honors student diversity and voice.
- Use guiding questions to connect the theme with local/global relevance.
𝟮. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁
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Avoid starting with a topic; begin with key and related concepts to allow students to inquire deeply and make transdisciplinary connections.
𝐓𝐃 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: How the World Works
𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮: The Earth’s natural processes shape environments and influence human activity.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬: Change, Causation
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Rather than a standalone unit on volcanoes, students inquired into natural processes like erosion, tectonic movement, and extreme weather events, and how these influence settlements. This supported cross-disciplinary links with geography, science, and human behavior.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Plan backward from concepts like form, function, change, and perspective.
- Concepts promote student agency and cross-subject exploration.
- Let students apply understanding to their lived context.
𝟯. 𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
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Central Ideas don’t need to be dictated, they can evolve with learners. Co-constructing or negotiating Central Ideas fosters ownership and a sense of purpose among students.
Example: During a unit under Sharing the Planet, students generated questions about access to food and water. Teachers used these to collaboratively develop the
Central Idea: Equitable access to resources affects human well-being and environmental sustainability.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Begin with student questions and provocations.
- Guide them toward alignment with the TD theme using scaffolding.
- Use visible thinking routines to build collective understanding.
𝟰. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
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Avoid planning units that feel abstract or disconnected from learners’ lives. Ensure that each inquiry is grounded in real-world issues that matter to students, encouraging relevance and action.
𝐓𝐃 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: Who We Are
Central Idea: Beliefs, values, and personal experiences shape individual identity.
Learning Experience: Students examined their own identities through cultural traditions, languages spoken at home, and family rituals. They created digital timelines and cultural collages to represent how their identities have formed over time.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Link inquiries to student identities and lived realities.
- Provide choice and voice in exploring relevance.
- Empower students to share learning with authentic audiences.
𝟱. 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀
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The revised TD themes call for intercultural understanding. Encourage students to inquire into global issues while making local connections.
𝐓𝐃 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: Where We Are in Place and Time
Central Idea: Migration changes people and communities over time.
Learning Experience: Students interviewed community members who had migrated, mapped family stories, and compared migration patterns across continents. They explored both historical and contemporary migration.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Include perspectives beyond the classroom.
- Invite guest speakers, use virtual exchanges, or explore news media.
- Encourage empathy and intercultural respect.
𝟲. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
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Assessment in the PYP is ongoing, student-centered, and reflective. Use digital portfolios, self-assessment checklists, peer review, and conferencing to track growth.
Example: In a unit on How We Organize Ourselves, students created infographics about systems (transport, banking, communication). They assessed each other using success criteria and reflected on collaboration skills via Seesaw.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Include diverse forms of documentation (videos, rubrics, journals).
- Assess conceptual understanding and ATL skills.
- Reflection should be embedded at all stages of inquiry.
𝟳. 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀
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Ensure UOIs are inclusive for EAL students, learners with special needs, and those from varied cultural contexts.
Example: During a unit on Sharing the Planet, visual supports, home-language texts, and peer buddies supported EAL students. SEN students used tactile maps and voice-recorded journals.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Use multiple entry points and flexible grouping.
- Adapt resources and scaffolds based on individual needs.
- Celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity in every unit.
𝟴. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
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The PYP values partnerships beyond school. Invite families to share expertise, support inquiry, and celebrate learning.
Example: In a unit under How We Organize Ourselves, parents from various industries explained their workplace systems. A digital Padlet allowed remote families to contribute stories, photos, and feedback.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
- Use digital tools (e.g., Padlet, Flipgrid) to connect with families.
- Build a “Community Wall” in classrooms or virtually.
- Treat families as co-learners, not just observers.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
With these updated TD themes, educators are empowered to design units that are inclusive, responsive, and future-ready. While navigating this shift may pose challenges, from realigning content to fostering true student agency, it also offers incredible opportunities for innovation and transformation.
Let’s build UOIs that are not only aligned but alive, with student voice, authentic purpose, and global impact.
As you plan your next UOI, ask yourself: How will my students see themselves as changemakers in this unit?
