Roberts Elementary programme of inquiry

Age / An inquiry into:
Who we are / An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time / An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves / An inquiry into:
How the world works / An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves / An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human. / 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. / 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. / An 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; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / 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.
4–5
PK / Central idea
People use their senses to learn about themselves and their environment.
Key concepts:function, connection
Related concepts:
Lines of inquiry
  • how we learn about the environment
  • how our senses work
  • how our senses help us
September - May / Central idea
People develop imagination and learn about life through stories and rhymes.
Key concepts:connection, perspective
Related concept:
Lines of inquiry
  • favorite stories and rhymes
  • story telling
  • how stories make us feel
March - May / Central idea
Colors are all around us and affect us and the environment.
Key concepts:form, change
Related concepts:
Lines of inquiry
  • how shades and tones vary
  • colors in nature
  • how colors change
December - May / Central idea
Patterns help us to make sense of things in our everyday lives.
Key concepts: form,change
Related concepts:
Lines of inquiry
  • patterns in the environment
  • patterns in mathematics
September - December
5–6
K / Central idea
People throughout the world have many similarities.
Key concepts:form, function, perspective
Related concepts:relationships
Lines of inquiry
  • self awareness of one’s physical characteristics and emotions
  • being a part of a family and a group
  • people’s uniqueness
September / Central idea
Leadership impacts the community and how it works.
Key concepts:function, causation, responsibility
Related concepts:classification, history
Lines of inquiry
  • characteristics of a leader
  • contributions of individuals who affect our world
  • effects of positive and negative leadership
February / Central idea
Art allows people to express themselves without words.
Key concepts:form, perspective, reflection
Related concepts:creativity, genre, self-expression
Lines of inquiry
  • feelings evoked by artwork
  • various artistic techniques
  • appreciation of the masterpieces
May / Central idea
Climate affects our lives.
Key concepts: function, change
Related concepts:climate, seasons, systems
Lines of inquiry
  • relationship between climate and weather
  • how the weather impacts our lives
  • different kinds of weather
January / Central idea
Jobs are essential for the well being of a community.
Key concepts:function, connection, responsibility
Related concepts:community, work, cooperation
Lines of inquiry
  • types of jobs
  • the importance of working
  • needs of community
October – December / Central idea
Humans have an impact on the planet.
Key concepts:causation change, responsibility
Related concepts:infinite/finite, resources, pollution
Lines of inquiry
  • forms of human impact on the planet
  • choices and decisions
  • earth’s resources
March – April
Age / An inquiry into:
Who we are / An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time / An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves / An inquiry into:
How the world works / An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves / An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
6–7
1st / Central idea
How we choose to act with others affects our relationships.
Key concepts: connection, reflection, causation
Related concepts: citizenship, cooperation, communication
Lines of inquiry
  • thoughts, words and actions
  • positive and negative choices
  • personality and character traits
  • friendship
August – September / Central idea
Discoveries in technology affect our lives.
Key concepts: change, form, connection
Related concepts: progress, impact
Lines of inquiry
  • how human connections have changed
  • the similarities and differences in technology
January- February / Central idea
Humans express their ideas, imagination, and emotions through their words and action.
Key concepts:perspective, reflection
Related concepts:character, presentation, creative expression
Lines of inquiry
  • inferring about character traits
  • voice
  • facial expressions
  • body movements
March-April / Central idea
There are cycles occurring all around us.
Key concepts: change, form, function
Related concepts: cycles, classification, growth
Lines of inquiry
  • cycles of living things
  • cycles of non-living things
  • similarities and differences of natural cycles
November – December / Central idea
Systems have parts that need to work together in order to be the most effective.
Key concepts: form, function, connection
Related concepts: systems, classification
Lines of inquiry
  • systems in our lives
  • parts of systems
  • roles, rules, and responsibilities
October / Central idea
Clean water is an essential resource with limited availability.
Key concepts: responsibility, connection, causation
Related concepts: conservation, consumption, scarcity
Lines of inquiry
  • the importance of water to humans and ecosystems
  • conservation, usage,and pollution of water
  • scarcity of clean water in many parts of the world
May
7–8
2nd / Central idea
The choices we make affect our health and well being.
Key concepts: form, function, responsibility
Related concepts:systems, biology, health and fitness
Lines of inquiry
  • structure and function of body systems.
  • requirements to maintain a healthy body.
  • components of nutrition and how it affects the body.
November – December / Central idea
Events in individual’s lives shape their personal histories.
Key concepts:causation, connection, reflection
Related concepts: artifacts, identity, tradition
Lines of inquiry:
  • personal histories
  • histories of individuals
  • attitudes and attributes of historical figures
August – September / Central idea
Illustrators use pictures to convey meaning.
Key concepts: form, function, perspective
Related concepts:design, illustration, perspective, self-expressions
Lines of inquiry
  • artwork in children’s literature
  • mediums and techniques of artists
  • connections between story and illustrations
October – November / Central idea
Weather affects living things.
Key concepts: form, causation, connection
Related concepts:atmosphere, climate, system
Lines of inquiry
  • causes of weather
  • how we observe, measure, and predict weather
  • how weather affects human activity
April - May / Central idea
Through media and technology, advertising influences our choices.
Key concepts: causation, reflection, responsibility
Related concepts:media, technology, audience, communication
Lines of inquiry
  • how advertisers influence audiences
  • the positive and negative effects of advertising
  • the legal and moral responsibilities of advertisers
March - April / Central idea
Living things impact and are dependent upon their habitat.
Key concepts:form, change, causation, responsibility
Related concepts:habitat, adaption, conservation, biodiversity
Lines of inquiry
  • components of habitats
  • how habitats are changing
  • our responsibility to conserve habitats
January – February
8–9
3rd / Central idea
Cultures form traditions to celebrate their heritage.
Key concepts: function, connection, perspective
Related concepts: communication, culture, relationship
Lines of inquiry
  • the origin and need for traditions
  • rites of passage
  • personal heritage
November– December / Central idea
All places on Earth have special features that distinguish them from other places.
Key concepts: form, causation, connection
Related concepts:geography, population, ecology
Lines of inquiry
  • the physical characteristics of Earth
  • human effects on the geography
  • how geography affects population
August – September / Central idea
People express their knowledge about factual information through words.
Key concepts: function, connection, perspective
Related concepts:research, communication, writing process
Lines of inquiry
  • types of non-fiction
  • creating forms of non-fiction
  • becoming an expert on a topic
  • how writers incorporate voice in their writing
January - February / Central idea
When faced with a challenge, innovative thinking can lead to change.
Key concepts: causation, function, connection
Related concepts:change,history, innovation, technology
Lines of inquiry
  • creative problem solving
  • inventors and their inventions
  • evolution of ideas
  • impacts of technology on everyday life (positive and negative)
March-April / Central idea
People create structure within a business system.
Key concepts:causation, connection
Related concept:production, economics, entrepreneurialism
Lines of inquiry
  • structures and roles created within a business
  • roles in economic systems
  • necessary structures for success
May / Central idea
People can make thoughtful choices as they meet their needs.
Key concepts: causation, change, responsibility
Related concepts: survival, resources
Lines of inquiry
  • conservation of renewable and nonrenewable resources
  • effects of human action
  • scarcity and personal responsibilities
  • alternate ways of dealing with trash
October – November
Age / An inquiry into:
Who we are / An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time / An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves / An inquiry into:
How the world works / An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves / An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human. / 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. / 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. / An 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; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. / 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.
9–10
4th / Central idea
Individuals are shaped by their personal experiences, observations, and interactions.
Key concepts: connection, perspective, reflection
Related concepts:communication, interpretation
Lines of inquiry
  • one’s strengths and weaknesses
  • how observations affect one’s perspective
  • how interactions provide a deeper understanding of self
September - November / Central idea
Explorers forge new paths.
Key concepts:causation, reflection, form
Related concepts: discovery, exploration
Lines of inquiry
  • the possible reasons for exploration
  • the effects on individuals, groups, and nations
  • methods of exploration
November – December / Central idea
We express our ideas, feelings and beliefs through art and literature.
Key concepts:connection, perspective, form
Related concepts: self-expression, culture, inspiration
Lines of inquiry
  • reasons behind expression
  • different mediums of art
  • the impact of literature on others
April - May / Central idea
Earth experiences changes caused by geological forces.
Key concepts:form, causation, change
Related concepts: structure, evidence, transformation
Lines of inquiry
  • how rocks and minerals are formed
  • the causes behind Earth’s physical changes
  • how earth’s physical events impact humans
March - April / Central idea
Government structures impact the way we live.
Key concepts:form, function, change, responsibility
Related concepts:system, justice, freedom
Lines of inquiry
  • government structure
  • the election process
  • forms of government
  • rights and responsibilities
January - February / Central idea
People affect the environment through the choices they make.
Key concepts:causation, responsibility, function
Related concepts:resources and interdependence
Lines of inquiry
  • different forms of energy
  • impact of energy alternatives
  • our environmental impact
August - September
10–11
5th / Central idea
Rights and responsibilities begin with the individual and affect the general welfare of society.
Key concepts:connection, perspective, causation, change
Related concepts:civil rights, bullying, social psychology
Lines of inquiry
  • civil rights movements
  • human motivations
  • influences of others on individual’s decision making
  • personal responsibilities
April - May / Central idea
People immigrate to change their lives.
Key concepts:causation, change, perspective
Related concepts:industrialization, migration
Lines of inquiry
  • why people immigrate
  • effects on people and places
  • patterns in settlement
February – March / Central idea
People express their beliefs, values, and feelings through their words.
Key concepts:form, connection, perspective, reflection
Related concepts:communication, poetry
Lines of inquiry
  • the techniques poets use
  • how poets portray feelings through writing
  • the intended and/or perceived meaning of the piece
  • influences impacting the poets’ work
January - February / Central idea
The universe, and our understanding of it, is ever-changing.
Key concepts: form, function, connection, change
Related concepts:exploration, space
Lines of inquiry
  • historical and cultural understanding
  • exploration and discovery
  • development of theories and laws
August - September / Central idea
Conflict causes people to seek change.
Key concepts:change, causation, perspective, responsibility
Related concepts:freedom, conflict
Lines of inquiry
  • events that lead to unrest
  • consequences of conflict
  • types of resolutions
September - October / Exhibition
Central idea
Through deep understanding of our world, we find solutions.
Key concepts:causation, change, responsibility
Related concepts:action
Lines of inquiry
  • local responsibilities
  • global responsibilities
October – December

Roberts Elementary 2011-20123 October 2018