TD Themes, Definitions

Transdisciplinary Themes

One of the most significant and distinctive feature of the IB Primary Years Program is the six Transdisciplinary Themes.

These themes are about issues that have meaning for, and are important to, all of us. The program offers a balance between learning about or through the subject areas, and learning beyond them. The six themes of global significance create a Transdisciplinary framework that allows students to “step up” beyond the confines of learning within subject areas. The program focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.

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

The six transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a programme of inquiries–in-depth investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth and usually last for several weeks.