Susanne Fischer 

This theme encourages inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend, and enjoy our creativity; and our appreciation of the aesthetic.\n

How We Express Ourselves

The Met: Lost in the Museum \nis a beautifully illustrated book that takes us on a seek-and-find adventure through The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It shows the different sections of the museum and is a perfect resource to explore different types of artwork. The book has been put together in a very playful way and encourages students to pay close attention to detail by posing little questions and challenges throughout the pages.  Some pages offer overviews of art from different eras and cultures, as well as how these are exhibited within the museum. These sections would be great for those classes who are looking at how to organize and present their own artwork within a school gallery or exhibition.\n\n

How To Be An Artist \nis the perfect package for classes inquiring into the transdisciplinary theme \nHow we express ourselves \nwith a focus on visual arts. It combines facts about famous painters with instructions on how to execute certain art techniques. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making the books suitable for a wide range of learners. There is plenty of scope to create student-driven overviews, inspired by the book using a combination of art pieces and fact files introducing the artist.\n\n\n\n

Celebrate different holidays around the world, from Chinese New Year to Diwali, and from the Mexican Day of the Dead to American Thanksgiving. Beginning with New Year's Day, Festivals and Celebrations lets young children join in celebrations around the world throughout the year. Each chapter is divided by season and covers everything from Passover and Easter, to Japanese Cherry Blossom Festivals and International Children's Day, to Holi and Hanukkah. Perfect for 5-7 year olds beginning to read fluently with support, Level 2 titles contain carefully selected photographic images to complement the text, providing strong visual clues to build vocabulary and confidence. Additional information spreads are full of extra fun facts, developing the topics through a range of nonfiction presentation styles such as diagrams and activities. Series Overview: Trusted by parents, teachers, and librarians, and loved by kids, DK's leveled reading series is now revised and updated. With new jackets and brand-new nonfiction narrative content on the topics kids love, each book is written and reviewed by literacy experts and contains a glossary and index, making them the perfect choice for helping develop strong reading habits for kids ages 3-11.

 DK Readers L2 Festivals and Celebrations

Festivals and Celebrations\n \nis a great title for students who are exploring ways in which people express their cultures, and it would therefore also be a great resource for year groups that are inquiring into cultures within their \nWho We Are\n unit. The book can be used as a foundation, particularly for younger readers, and covers a range of celebrations. It may be useful for those who are researching patterns and colors found within celebrations and may inspire a range of design tasks, such as costume and face paint designs and purposes. \n\n

This theme encourages inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies, how humans use their understanding of scientific principles, as well as the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

How the World Works

This book introduces children ages 7-9 to the amazing science of DNA, genetics, and what makes you you. It's inside every living plant and animal, from the tiniest seed to the person standing next to you, but how much do you know about DNA? This book gives children an in-depth look at DNA and its role in all living things--from why we have different-colored eyes to why we age. Discover what DNA is, what it does, and how it shapes our lives, including inheritance and why we look like our parents; forensic science and how DNA evidence helps catch criminals; and genetic engineering and if we could bring dinosaurs back to life. With fun illustrated DNA characters, clear diagrams, and astonishing photographs, children will love learning about themselves and this all-important molecule. The DNA Book is packed with colorful illustrations and mind-boggling facts, perfect for curious young minds. It's a great addition to any STEAM library and decodes how DNA underpins life on Earth.

The DNA Book

For students who are specifically researching human DNA or other living things and organisms, \nThe DNA Book \nis a great resource that covers the complex concepts of this topic in an engaging and thought-provoking way. This may also be a useful title for classes that cover the human body during their \nWho We Are unit\n. The book explains DNA in great detail and leaves room for teachers to encourage students to consider other areas of learning, such as coding or patterns, in relation to DNA.\n\n

Incredible inventions and inspiring innovations have transformed the world today, so you can't imagine life without them! This tour through time tracks the brilliant breakthroughs of great geniuses starting with ancient times and ending in the modern era. Packed full of awesome ideas, from airplanes, batteries, and chocolate, to video games, wheels, and X-rays, you'll hear the inside story on the brainwaves behind them all. You'll meet the masters of invention who dreamed up the greatest gadgets and gizmos ever. From the everyday essentials we take for granted to fabulous firsts like the car and the television, this roll call of history's most groundbreaking inventions is guaranteed to educate, engage, and entertain the whole family. Part of DK's best-selling top 100 in History series, 100 Inventions That Made History presents an in-depth exploration of each important invention in unprecedented detail with eye-catching visuals and informative text, while stunning galleries reveal a selection of mind-blowing inventions on a shared theme. Also included are the disastrous prototypes that never got off the ground and the futuristic fantasies that may soon be up and running. Open your eyes to a world of wonder... and who knows, you might become the trailblazer of tomorrow!

 100 Inventions That Made History

100 Inventions That Made History \nis a fun and engaging title covering a whole range of inventions and innovations throughout time. The pages feature a fun combination of illustrations and graphics, as well as useful facts and information. This book would be useful for those students learning about scientific and technological advances that have had an impact on our lives.  Some topics feature a ‘How it works’ note, which contains a simplified explanation of scientific principles such as ‘drag’ and ‘satellite transmissions.’\n\n

Explore science as you’ve never known it before with this children's encyclopedia perfect for budding scientists! Forming part of a fantastic series of kid's educational books, this bold and brilliant kid's encyclopedia uses ground-breaking CGI imagery to reveal the world as you've never seen it before. Informative, diverse in subject matter, easy-to-read and brimming with beautiful graphics, young learners can explore the incredibly detailed cross-sections and cutaways that reveal the scientific inner workings of just about everything! This charming children’s encyclopedia opens the world in new ways, with:  - Packed with facts, charts, timelines, and infographics that cover a vast range of topics.  - Encompassing a visual approach with illustrations, photographs and extremely detailed 3D images. - Crystal clear text distills the key information. - DK's encyclopedias are fact-checked by subject experts to offer accuracy beyond online sources of information. This fully-updated edition of Knowledge Encyclopedia Science! is the perfect encyclopedia for children aged 9-12, ideal for inquisitive minds, providing young readers with an engaging introduction to core science topics, demonstrating how all the major scientific principles fit together and using awe-inspiring illustrations to reveal how biology, chemistry and physics is used every day in the world around us. Jam-packed with spectacular scientific facts, including graphics, facts, and data boxes, this science encyclopedia is sure to delight budding young scientists.  Explore, Discover And Learn! DK's Knowledge Encyclopedia Science! uncovers the marvels of our world in unprecedented detail and with stunning realism. Encompassing incredible computer-generated images to reveal and explain science as never before, you can spend quality time exploring the world of science with your children, whether it’s looking inside a cell, pulling apart a Formula 1 racing car, or examining the forces that hold the Universe together, accompanied by impressive visuals to engage their senses. A must-have volume for curious kids with a thirst for knowledge, this enthralling encyclopedia is structured in such a way that your child can read a bit at a time, and feel comfortable to pause and ask questions. Doubling up as the perfect gift for young readers, who are always asking questions about the inner workings of our planet!  At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. This thrilling kid’s encyclopedia is part of the Knowledge Encyclopedia educational series. Celebrate your child’s curiosity as they complete the collection and discover diverse facts about the world around them. Dive into the deep blue with Knowledge Encyclopedia Ocean! Travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth with Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur! And hone your knowledge on how the human body works with Knowledge Encyclopedia Human Body! Whatever topic takes their fancy, there’s an encyclopedia for everyone!

Knowledge Encyclopedia Science!

Knowledge Encyclopedia Science! \nis a fantastic resource for classes who are inquiring into a range of scientific concepts and principles. The book offers incredible illustrations that explain biological, physical and chemical processes such as molecules, metamorphosis, friction, heat, nutrition and many more. The pages throughout this title are engaging and inspiring and offer a great introduction into each of the concepts covered within the book. Again, this is a resource which may be useful across different year groups and different transdisciplinary themes or units of inquiry. This book would probably be most suitable for older primary years students or those with advanced reading and comprehension skills, due to the vocabulary and complexity of the concepts.\n\n

Read more about incorporating DK books into the IB themes \n ‘Who we are and Where we are in place and time’ \nand ‘\nHow we organize ourselves and Sharing the planet,”\n or head back to \nthe introductory article\n for an overview of this series. 

Interested in learning more? 

\n\nSusanne Fischer is an experienced and passionate PYP Coordinator and PYP Educator. She has worked at IB schools in the UK, Germany, Norway and Barbados and is a Global Schools Advocate on behalf of the Global Schools Program, an initiative of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). She regularly gets involved in curriculum development projects and has been a presenter at conferences and international curriculum summits. 

About Susanne 

I hope you’ve found the previous book recommendations useful and that you’ve had a chance to \nexplore what DK has to offer.\n In this article, I will be focusing on the transdisciplinary themes, \nHow we express ourselves\n and \nHow the world works\n. Again, this is just a very small selection of titles. DK has a huge range of fantastic books and \nfree IB-specific guides\n that will be useful for your inquires, as well as supporting learner profiles, ATL skills, and key concepts. You can also explore the \nDK IB Collection of books for the PYP.\n 

Using DK resources in the IB PYP: How We Express Ourselves and How the World Works

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