1. Exhibition Meeting Day 2 January, 2017
Choosing a Central Idea

5. Today’s Objectives: Determine a central idea
Brainstorm possible inquiry questions
Discuss how we can show what we have learned (how can we present the information to the public?)

6. What is a central idea?
The foundation of any unit is the “Central Idea”. Central ideas must be global and timeless. The central idea is one clear and concise sentence. Based on the central idea, we will develop 3 or 4 areas of inquiry.

7. A central idea is a question turned into a statement!
The central idea of your current IB unit is “Scientific principles make the world work..”
Can this statement be re-written as a question?
For example, “What are the scientific principles that make the world work?”

8. An example of an IB planner from Lansdowne’s fifth grade…
Topic – health, well-being and human development
Central Idea – Developmental changes occur throughout our lifetime
An inquiry into…
physical, emotional, and social changes
how decisions affect the human body
what it means to have a balanced lifestyle

9. Another example: Topic: Sharing the Planet
Some examples of central ideas are:
Communities are impacted by available natural resources.
Organisms can survive and reproduce only in environments that meet their basic needs.
Healthy oceans are necessary for a healthy planet.

10. Example from occ.ibo.org…
Topic – conflict resolution
Central idea - Individuals and nations communicate and connect to solve problems.
An inquiry into:
how people communicate and connect to solve problems
organizations that try to solve problems
how organizations are formed.

11. The topic for your exhibition is Where We Are in Place and Time
An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

12. With your group…
With your group, determine one or two possible central ideas. Remember, short and to the point. Relate the central idea to the topic. Write down your ideas and be as specific and as clear as possible.
Brainstorm some possible inquiries into. Write everything down.
determine whether or not each of the possible topics has LOCAL, NATIONAL, and GLOBAL connections. If it does not, cross it off your copy of the list.

13. Finish up:
Turn everything in to your teacher. We will work on what you have developed and give you the central idea at tomorrow’s meeting.
Good work!