PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE: K
WHO WE AREAn inquiry into the nature of the self ,beliefs and values, personal, physical, mental, social & Spiritual health, human relationships including families and friends, communities, culture, rights &responsibilities, what it means to be human / 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 civilization from local to global perspectives. / HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
An 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, our appreciation of the aesthetic. / HOW THE WORLD WORKS
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and the human societies, how human scientific principles, the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
An inquiry into interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organization; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / SHARING THE PLANET
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central Idea: Discovering me in the community
Key Concepts:
Form
Perspective
Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
· What makes a “community”
· How do we maintain the habits/routines of our community
· How do routines differ by location / Central Idea: Navigating through my world
Key Concepts:
Form
Function
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are maps
· What are some different ways to navigate
· How do navigational systems take us from beginning to end / Central Idea: Expressing my feelings can change my world
Key Concepts:
Perspective
Causation
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do we communicate
· Emotions: what is the difference between rational vs. irrational
· How can we solve problem solving / Central Idea: My world has living and non-living things
Key Concepts:
Form
Change
Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do we define living and nonliving things
· How can we identify Cycles (plants, humans, animals, time, seasons, weather etc.)
· What are Habitats / Central Idea: Transportation systems are important in my world
Key Concepts:
Function
Causation
Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the Different Kinds of Transportation
· Why do we need Transportation Systems
· How does transportation effect the way we live / Central Idea: Water is important in my world
Key Concepts:
Responsibility
Reflection
Change
Lines of Inquiry:
· How many ways do we use water
· Why do plants and animals need water to survive
· How can we protect our water supplies
PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE: 1
An inquiry into the nature of the self ,beliefs and values, personal, physical, mental, social & Spiritual health, human relationships including families and friends, communities, culture, rights &responsibilities, what it means to be human / 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 civilization from local to global perspectives. / HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
An 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, our appreciation of the aesthetic. / HOW THE WORLD WORKS
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and the human societies, how human scientific principles, the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
An inquiry into interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organization; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / SHARING THE PLANET
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central Idea: Families and communities reflect cultures
Key Concepts:
Function
Form
Perspective
(Social interaction, Identity, Relationships)
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the cultural contributions to communities
· What is family life like in different cultures
· Is it important to continue traditions and family values? / Central Idea: Environmental features determine how we work and play
Key Concepts:
Causation
Form
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the physical features of where we live & their characteristics
· What are the human characteristics of where we live
· Does the weather shape our living styles / Central Idea: People create technology to express themselves
Key Concepts:
Perspective
Form
Function
Lines of Inquiry:
· What is technology
· What technology do we use to communicate
· Different forms of technology convey diverse ideas
· How does technology affect our communication / Central Idea: All living things depend on each other to survive
Key Concepts:
Connection
Function
Reflection
(Interdependence, cycles)
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do plants & animals depend on each other
· What are the parts of living things
· Is there a reason for the features of living things / Central Idea: Societies are structured by their people and their leaders
Key Concepts:
Causation
Responsibility
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· How is a society structured
· What roles do leaders play in a society’s systems
· Does apathy effect leadership
· What happens if there’s a collapse in a society’s social order / Central Idea: Unequal access to resources can lead to conflict
Key Concepts:
Causation
Function
Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
· How does Conflict compare to Peace
· How do individual and group actions make a difference
· Can we make sure that everyone has access to resources
PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE : 2
An inquiry into the nature of the self, beliefs and values, personal, physical, mental, social & Spiritual health, human relationships including families and friends, communities, culture, rights &responsibilities, what it means to be human / 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 civilization from local to global perspectives. / HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
An 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, our appreciation of the aesthetic. / HOW THE WORLD WORKS
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and the human societies, how human scientific principles, the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
An inquiry into interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organization; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / SHARING THE PLANET
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central Idea: Community members have roles to play
Key Concepts:
Responsibility
Function
Perspective
Lines of Inquiry:
· What is a community
· Why do people live in communities
· What are People’s roles in the community
· What systems support the community / Central Idea: Societies have landmarks that represent historical events
Key Concepts:
Form
Connection
Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the locations of our continents & oceans
· What natural forces change landforms
· Are there differences or similarities in landmarks
· How are landmarks linked to stories, events & ideas / Central Idea: People use forms of expressions to communicate
Key Concepts:
Change
Connection
Perspective
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do we celebrate important events
· How do people develop cultures and traditions
· What are some similarities and differences between celebrations / Central Idea: Physical and chemical changes in matter impact our world
Key Concepts:
Form
Change
Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the natures of chemical & physical changes
· What is a state of matter and how can it change
· How do changes in matter impact our world
· What is the water cycle’s role in weather / Central Idea: Civilizations have many systems to help them live together
Key Concepts:
Causation
Change
Form
Lines of Inquiry:
· What makes a civilization
· What kind of impact can a civilization make on communities
· What are the roles of political, communication & economic systems / Central Idea: Resources can be recycled and conserved to protect the environment
Key Concepts:
Change
Responsibility
Connection
(Conservation, Resources)
Lines of Inquiry:
· What makes up the environment
· What personal choices can affect the environment
· What is the recycling process
· What is the impact of recycling on the environment
PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE : 3
WHO WE AREAn inquiry into the nature of the self ,beliefs and values, personal, physical, mental, social & Spiritual health, human relationships including families and friends, communities, culture, rights &responsibilities, what it means to be human / 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 civilization from local to global perspectives. / HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
An 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, our appreciation of the aesthetic. / HOW THE WORLD WORKS
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and the human societies, how human scientific principles, the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
An inquiry into interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organization; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / SHARING THE PLANET
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central Idea: I can help my community
Key Concepts:
Function
Form
Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
· What would make my community better
· How can we help our communities
· Why are communities created / Central Idea: People explore new places for many reasons
Key Concepts:
Causation
Change
Perspective
Lines of Inquiry:
· Why do people move
· What are some key historical events that lead to early settlements
· What is the population distribution in US/Europe / Central Idea: People communicate through art
Key Concepts:
Perspective
Form
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do People express themselves through literature
· What are the Different forms of art
· Does Art transmit the same message to all people / Central Idea: The earth is constantly changing
Key Concepts:
Change
Causation
Form
Lines of Inquiry:
· What effects does temperature have on the properties of matter (thermodynamics)
· What is the result when the hydrosphere & atmosphere interact
· What are the causes of changes in the Earth’s crust / Central Idea: Markets are systems for exchanging goods and services
Key Concepts:
Form
Connection
Causation
Lines of Inquiry :
· How do systems link to provide goods & services
· What are the types of Markets (local to global)
· What is the system of production and consumption (Demand & Supply) / Central Idea: We depend on Energy to satisfy our needs
Key Concepts:
Form
Function
Change
Lines of Inquiry :
· What is energy
· How do we use energy
· Do we need energy to survive
PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE : 4
WHO WE AREAn inquiry into the nature of the self ,beliefs and values, personal, physical, mental, social & Spiritual health, human relationships including families and friends, communities, culture, rights &responsibilities, what it means to be human / 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 civilization from local to global perspectives. / HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES
An 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, our appreciation of the aesthetic. / HOW THE WORLD WORKS
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and the human societies, how human scientific principles, the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES
An inquiry into interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organization; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / SHARING THE PLANET
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central Idea: Social problems impact the health of a community
Key Concepts:
Form
Causation
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· Do Emotional factors influence behaviors or body image
· Description of components that promote personal well-being
· Impact of alcohol & drug abuse on schools & communities
· Factors associated with social problems & stresses that are experienced in the community / Central Idea: Migrants influence their new environments
Key Concepts:
Causation
Change
Reflection
(Population, Settlement, Diversity, Patterns)
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do communities change when people move in/out of them
· What evidence is left of early/Ancient settlements
· Are we still influenced by changes made by Ancient migrants / Central Idea: Language is a universal communication tool
Key Concepts:
Perspective
Function
Change
(Beliefs, Diversity, Adaptation)
Lines of Inquiry:
· Can Language change the way we think about the world
· Why does language change over time
· Is there a need for self expression / Central Idea: Living things reproduce for the continuation of their species
Key Concepts:
Form
Causation
Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
· How do we classify animals & plants
· What traits in plants & animals that pass from one generation to another
· Compare/contrast evidence of extinction vs. survival / Central Idea: Governmental systems effect equal opportunity and social justice
Key Concepts:
Form
Reflection
Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
· Why do political structures change
· What are the types of governance
· What are the Principles of human rights & social justice / Central Idea: All living things affect one another
Key Concepts:
Connection
Function
Responsibility
(Behavior, Patterns, Initiative, Balance, Interdependence)
Lines of Inquiry:
· What are the characteristics of an ecosystem
· How does the interdependence within ecosystems create a balance in nature
· How does human interaction with the environment interfere with the balance of systems
PROGRAM OF INQUIRY FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 GRADE : 5