Theory of Knowledge: CORE THEME: Knowledge and the Knower FULL UNIT

This inquiry-based, fully scaffolded unit introduces the Core Theme Knowledge and the Knower — the foundation for the entire TOK course and all subsequent units. Aligned with the current IB Theory of Knowledge syllabus, it develops the conceptual and analytical understanding required to explore how personal, cultural, and ethical factors shape the creation and evaluation of knowledge. Each lesson builds confidence through structured discussion, short readings, and reflective analysis, while preparing students for the TOK Exhibition.

The sequence begins by establishing who the knower is and how individual experience, perspective, and identity influence what can be known. Students then investigate how methods and tools shape knowledge, how trust and authority are constructed, and how ethical responsibility affects the use of information. The unit culminates with an exploration of how values determine what knowledge is considered acceptable, guiding students toward principled and conceptually precise Exhibition work.

Included Lessons:

Who is the knower?
What shapes the scope of our knowledge?
How is the TOK course structured?
How do personal experiences shape what we know?
How can we recognise and challenge our own perspective?
How do methods and tools shape the knowledge we produce?
Are some methods of producing knowledge more reliable than others?
When should we trust a source of knowledge?
How do knowers evaluate knowledge from digital sources?
What responsibilities come with knowing?
How do values determine what knowledge is considered acceptable?

Each lesson features clear learning objectives, structured inquiry, extension questions, and accessible bridging texts linking conceptual ideas across the unit. Materials are differentiated for mixed-ability and EAL learners, with sentence stems, comparative tables, and visual prompts to support analytical writing and discussion. The sequence develops conceptual precision, ethical literacy, and independence of thought through contemporary, real-world contexts, while providing a clear pathway to success in the TOK Exhibition.

This resource includes eleven fully editable student documents and matching PowerPoints. It is discussion-based, concept-driven, and ready to teach immediately — designed for seamless use on Teams, Google Classroom, or in print, requiring no additional preparation.