What is the Programme of Inquiry?

Our Programme of Inquiry (POI) is the foundation of our International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. It’s a result of thoughtful, ongoing collaboration among teachers and staff, and it guides the development of meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences for all students.

From Kindergarten through 5th grade, students explore six units of inquiry each year. These units help students investigate important concepts and issues—both locally and globally—while making connections across subject areas. Through this process, students build a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it.

Each unit in the Programme of Inquiry is organized around the following core elements:

🔹 Transdisciplinary Themes
Each unit is built around one of six broad themes that explore human commonalities and global relevance. These themes serve as the context for learning across all subject areas.

• Who We Are

• Where We Are in Place and Time

• How We Express Ourselves

• How the World Works

• How We Organize Ourselves

• Sharing the Planet

🔹 Central Idea
A powerful, enduring understanding that students explore throughout the unit. The central idea connects directly to the transdisciplinary theme and drives inquiry.

🔹 Lines of Inquiry
These are key questions or topics that clarify the central idea and guide students in exploring and deepening their understanding.

🔹 Key and Related Concepts
Concepts are embedded throughout each unit to help students make connections across subject areas and between classroom learning and the real world. They support deeper thinking and global-mindedness.

As an IB World School, our POI is aligned with international standards. This allows our students to engage in online collaborations with peers at other IB PYP schools who are exploring similar themes or concepts—creating rich opportunities for global dialogue and shared learning.

The FWES Programme of Inquiry board is located just outside the Inquiry Center. It displays the sequence of each grade level’s Units of Inquiry, organized by the six IB transdisciplinary themes.

View Farmington Woods IB/PYP Elementary's Programme of Inquiry here: FWES Programme of Inquiry