Social Studies“In the PYP, social studies is viewed as the study of people in relation to their past, their present and their future, their environment and their society. Social studies encourages curiosity and develops and understanding of a rapidly changing world.

The aim of social studies within the PYP is to promote intercultural understanding and respect for individuals and their values and traditions.  In support of the IB mission statement, the social studies component  of the PYP Curriculum will encourage students to “understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right”.  Therefore, there is a strong emphasis on the reduction of prejudice and discrimination within the classroom, the school, the community and the world.” (IBO, 2009, Pg. 103)

“The role of social studies in the programme of inquiry.

It is recognized that teaching and learning social studies as a subject, while necessary, is not sufficient.  Of equal importance is the need to learn social studies in context, exploring content relevant to students, and transcending the boundaries of the traditional subject area.  The transdisciplinary themes provide the framework for a highly defined, focused, in-depth programme of inquiry, and as social studies is relevant to all the transdisciplinary themes, all planned social studies learning should take place within this framework.” (IBO, 2009, Pg.104)

“Knowledge and skill in social studies

In the PYP, social studies is essentially about people: how they think, feel and act; how they interact with others; their beliefs, aspirations and pleasures; the problems they have to face’ how and where they live (or lived); how they interact with their environment; the work they do; and how they organize themselves.

The social studies component of the curriculum also provides opportunities for students to:

  • formulate and ask questions about the past, the future, places and society
  • use and analyse evidence from a variety of historical, geographical and societal sources
  • orientate in relation to place and time
  • identify roles, rights and responsibilities in society
  • assess the accuracy, validate and possible bias of sources.” (IBO, 2009, Pg.106)

The knowledge component of social studies is arranged into 5 social strands:


Human systems an economic activities The study of how and why people construct organizations and systems; the ways in which people connect locally and globally; the distribution of power and authority.


Social organization and culture The study of people, communities, cultures and societies; the ways in which individuals, groups and societies interact with each other.


Continuity and change through time The study of the relationships between people and events through time; the past, its influences on the present and its implications for the future; people who have shaped the future through their actions.


Human and natural environments The study of the distinctive features that give a place its identity; how people adapt to and alter their environment; how people experience and represent place; the impact of natural disasters on people and the built environment.
Resources and the environment The interaction between people and the environment; the study of how humans allocate and manage resources; the positive and negative effects of this management; the impact of scientific and technological developments on the environment.” (IBO, 2009, Pgs. 106-107)