At ISDenver, our youngest explorers recently embarked on an engaging and imaginative learning journey as part of the “How We Organize Ourselves” Unit of Inquiry. Centered around the idea that transportation systems connect communities, this unit sparked curiosity, fostered creativity, and encouraged students to make meaningful connections with the world around them.

Let's explore how an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Unit of Inquiry comes to life in a K1 (three-year-old) PreK classroom:

 Students explored a wide variety of transportation modes—from cars and bicycles to airplanes and boats. Through playful, hands-on activities and storytelling, students learned to identify and categorize different vehicles and understand their uses. This foundational knowledge helped them appreciate how people and goods move from one place to another.

Our little geographers began to understand how geography shapes how people travel. Using interactive maps, small-world play, and rich classroom discussions, students discovered why boats are used in coastal areas and why cars and trains are more common in cities. These insights helped them see the connection between the environment and daily life.

To introduce the concept of systems, children explored how different parts work together in a transportation network. Through collaborative activities like building roads with blocks, designing traffic signs, and simulating routes, they began to understand how vehicles, pathways, and infrastructure come together to create a working system.

One of the most beautiful moments of the unit came during the taking action phase. Inspired by what they had learned, students worked together in teams to design and build their own forms of transportation. Their mission? To create vehicles that could "bring everyone to the playground," ensuring that all friends could join in the fun. This beautiful act of cooperative play highlighted not only their growing understanding of systems and inclusivity, but also the empathy and teamwork at the heart of their learning.

This unit is a vibrant example of how ISDenver nurtures early learners through inquiry-based exploration. By encouraging students to ask questions, make connections, and take action, we empower them to see themselves as active participants in the world around them. 

From our faculty's point of view

I love this activity. The students demonstrated exceptional skills in constructing transportation  and collaborating effectively with their team. The students exhibited excellent listening abilities and articulated their thoughts and ideas clearly. All of them made a significant contribution to the group proposing something in particular about their transportation.

The students successfully completed the summative assessment for this unit, demonstrating their understanding of the concepts covered.

- Marilin Fiuza, K1 Spanish Teacher

During our transportation project, students demonstrated both creativity and conceptual understanding. They constructed detailed vehicle models using recycled materials, showcasing innovation and environmental awareness. They also actively engaged in class discussions, clearly articulating the purpose and functionality of different transportation systems. This hands-on approach not only enriched their understanding of various modes of transport but also strengthened their ability to communicate ideas effectively and creatively.

- Inma Lopez, K1 Spanish Teacher

During our transportation project, the children had a great time learning and creating! They used recycled materials to build cars, fire trucks, trian, and more. This helped them understand how different vehicles work and how they help people get from one place to another. The children also practiced teamwork, shared ideas, and took responsibility in their group work.

- Yoyo Sinnott, Co-leader Chinese Program, K1 Chinese Teacher

From our student's point of view

I loved making the fire truck in class.

I love to be a flight attendant in our plane to Hawaii.

Me gusto mucho el helicoptero.

I like when the Camion de Bombero came to our parking lot.

Playing outside with our transportation was the best.

I like fire trucks because I like to spray water with the hose!

We should make a license plate for our car!

We need windows all around to see outside and avoid crashes.

We need to add a periscope so we can see above the water's surface while submerged.

We need to add windows so we can see the dark ocean and animals.

We need two wings to keep the airplane in the air.

We should add pompoms to our car.

We should paint it yellow.

We need a horn to make our car look like a unicorn.

Curious about how the IB plays out in the classroom? We'd love to show you the magic that is our immersion meets IB Early Childhood Education in action. Reach out to our Admissions team to schedule a tour today! We can't wait to have you!