Athletics in the PYP

We have started up this year's Athletics Unit at the International School of Phnom Penh and have changed our focus in terms of our central idea. We are only experimenting at this point and are not sure if it is the best approach, but will no doubt have a chance to reflect at the end of the unit and note necessary changes for next year.

We have opted to have one central idea which covers all three class levels (Kindergarten/G1, G2/3, & G4/5). The lines of inquiry are different at each level, but the central idea remains the same. It was something that I was opposed to at first, but am willing to try out this time around.

Our current central idea for Althletics is: "We can evaluate our skills and make choices in improving our performance."

The lines of inquiry are as follows:

Grade 4/5

1. The best ways to evaluate ourselves in Athletics.
2. Various ways of recording data in Athletics.
3. Planning the best practice sessions possible.

Grade 2/3
1.     The different ways to throw, run, and jump in Athletics.
2.     Determining ways to improve upon our weak areas.
3.     How best to coordinate our body movements in each event.

Kindergarten/Grade 1
1.   The different ways to throw, run, and jump in Athletics
2.   Identifying which events we enjoy the most.
3.  How we can increase our chances of success in Athletics.


On a positive note, the students have seemed to genuinely understand the central idea, but time will tell once we do our formative assessment at the end of the unit. Since their conceptual learning is different at each level, does this warrant going back to three separate central ideas?

If you are visiting this website and have an opinion, please let me know. Thanks!