People, Place, and the Choices We Make (2N - 3D) - IB106
An Inquiry into Culture, Environment, and Responsibility

Transdisciplinary Theme: Where We Are in Place and Time

Central Idea: Human interaction with the environment and cultural practices shape identity, lifestyle, and responsibility over time.

Lines of Inquiry

• Ways people adapt their lifestyles, traditions, and beliefs to their environment
• How geography, forests, and natural resources influence settlement and culture
• How responsibility guides the protection of cultural heritage and natural ecosystems

Age Group: PYP (5–11 years): Learning experiences are differentiated across early, middle, and upper PYP through varied levels of questioning, observation tasks, drawing and writing expectations, physical challenge choices, and reflection depth. All students engage meaningfully at a developmentally appropriate level.

Venue: Sakleshpur – Hassan Region

Learning Style: Inquiry-led • Experiential • Social • Reflective • Ethics-integrated

Learner Profile Focus: Inquirer • Thinker • Communicator • Caring • Risk-Taker • Reflective • Balanced

Includes: Pre-Tour • On-Tour • Post-Tour Learning Engagements

Programme Overview

“People, Place, and the Choices We Make” is an inquiry-driven experiential learning programme designed for all PYP students, using forests, waterfalls, plantations, heritage architecture, village life, and belief systems as meaningful contexts to explore culture, identity, adaptation, and responsibility.

Through pre-tour provocation and student-led questioning, guided exploration of natural landscapes, biodiversity trekking, coffee plantation learning, heritage temple visits, village walks, and belief-based reflection at Shravanabelagola, students investigate how people in the past and present adapt to their environment and express beliefs, values, and ways of living.

The programme supports learners in understanding that resilience, cooperation, respect, and responsibility are essential when engaging with diverse environments and cultural practices. By observing closely, managing physical challenges, interacting respectfully with communities, reflecting on belief systems, and participating in action-based learning such as sapling planting, students develop historical awareness, environmental sensitivity, empathy, self-management, and a strong sense of stewardship.

The programme is fully designed and facilitated by Crazy Holidays and its expert resource team, ensuring high-quality experiential delivery while remaining strongly aligned with IB PYP philosophy. Learning is intentionally structured across Pre-Tour, On-Tour, and Post-Tour engagements, enabling students to connect inquiry with experience and reflection with meaningful action.

ATL Skills

Students develop Thinking, Research, Communication, Social, and Self-Management skills as they observe natural landscapes and architectural details, ask inquiry-based questions, sketch and record evidence, collaborate during trekking and group discussions, manage physical activities, reflect on cultural and belief-based perspectives, and make connections between people, place, and responsibility.

Learning Objectives

Students:

• Understand how culture and identity are shaped by environment, geography, traditions, and experiences
• Explore how people record history and values through architecture, symbols, and lifestyle practices
• Develop inquiry, observation, collaboration, and reflection skills
• Practise ethical decision-making during community interaction and outdoor activities
• Build empathy and respect for diverse cultures, belief systems, and living beings
• Recognise responsibility toward preserving cultural and natural heritage
• Reflect on how human choices impact places, ecosystems, and communities over time

Learning Outcomes

Students:

• Identify features of natural landscapes, cultural practices, and belief systems
• Describe how forests, resources, and geography influence settlement and livelihood
• Demonstrate empathy, cooperation, resilience, and respect during community and nature-based experiences
• Make responsible choices during environmental and cultural activities
• Connect values to actions through reflection and discussion
• Participate confidently in inquiry and sharing
• Apply ethical thinking and environmental responsibility in school and community contexts