Programme of Inquiry

PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY

CHARLES HAY ELEMENTARY AND WORLD SCHOOL

2015-2016

Who We Are
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. / 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 interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and 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 human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the inter connectedness 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 / 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.
K / Central Idea
As people grow and change, they learn how their actions influence others.
Key Concepts: responsibility, perspective, reflection
Related concepts:
Development, growth
Inquiry into
Seeing ourselves in relation to others
Strategies for managing conflicts
How children grow, change, and develop competence at their own pace
Various ways people learn, grow and change / Central Idea
The experiences of children have changed over time.
Key Concepts:change, perspective
Related Concepts:
History, Sequence
Inquiry into
Lifestyles then and now
How play has changed over the years
How children play / Central Idea
Stories provide enjoyment and a way for people to express their creativity.
Key Concepts:form, reflection, perspective
Related Concepts:
Communication, tradition
Inquiry into
What a story is
Ways to retell stories
How to write downour stories and sharethem / Central Idea
People sort and classify things to make sense of the world around them.
Key Concepts: form, connection
Related Concepts:
Patterns, Science
Inquiry into
Sorting and organizing common objects using specific vocabulary
 Identifying physical properties of objects
Describing differences between natural objects, natural resources and objects made by people / Central Idea
Schools organize and structure themselves to help people learn
Key Concepts: function, responsibility
Related Concepts:
Systems, Civics
Inquiry into
Physical layout of an organization
Roles, jobs, and routines within an organization
How the different roles and routines in an organization support each other
How schools function based on the needs of their students / Central Idea
Location influences food and shelter.
Key Concepts:Function,change, causation
Related Concepts:
Inquiry into
Maps and globes
Choices we make because of environment
Sun’s effects on organisms and the Earth
Who We Are
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. / 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 interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and 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 human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the inter connectedness 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 / 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.
1 / Central Idea
Familyrelationships and traditions shape our identity.
Key Concepts; function, connection, reflection
Related Concepts:
History, Diversity
Inquiry into
Similarities and differences of family relationships
Roles and responsibilities within families
How family and cultural traditions are connected around the world / Central Idea
Humans make meaning of the world through visual representations.
Key Concepts:perspective,connection
Related Concepts:
Geography, Community interaction
Inquiry into
Understanding symbols and geographic tools
The relationship of our location to other parts of the world
Different types and purposes of visual representations / Central Idea
The tool of language drives human interaction
Key Concepts: form, function
Related Concepts:
Language, communication
Inquiry into
Cracking the code of oral, written, and nonverbal language
The system of languages
Similarities and differences in the way that people communicate
How to respect different languages / Central Idea
The physical world is made of states of matter with specific properties that can be observed and changed.
Key Concepts:form, function, change
Related Concepts:
Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences
Inquiry into
Differences between solids and liquids
Properties of matter and where we find them
Ways curiosity and observation help us gain information
How matter can change / Central Idea
People make decisions about jobs based on factors such as education, skills, and interests.
Key Concepts: form, connection, responsibility
Related Concepts:
Civics, Economics
Inquiry into
The purpose and source of income
Connections between jobs in the community
The difference between goods and services
How we choose jobs / Central Idea:
The role of the parent affects the survival of an organism
Key Concepts:change, causation
Related Concepts:
Adaptation, Life Science
Inquiry into
Similarities and differences between offspring and parents
Needs of plants and animals
Physical characteristics that help plants and animals survive
Who We Are
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. / 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 interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and 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 human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the inter connectedness 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 / 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.
2 / Central Idea
Members of society have rights and responsibilities to their communities and the world beyond.
Key Concepts: responsibility, causation
Related Concepts:
Communication, Civics
Inquiry into
Reasons why societies need rules and laws
My responsibilities as a citizen
The rights ofchildrenaround the world / Central Idea
People and events have influenced the history of neighborhoods Historical events impact the evolution of communities?
Key Concepts: connection, connection, perspective
Related Concepts:
History, Chronology, Geography, Culture
Inquiry into
How the past impacts decisions made today
How and why neighborhoods and communities change
The resources used to investigate the past
Similarities and differences of neighborhoods and communities around the world / Central Idea
Lessons and morals valued by a culture are expressed through stories
Key Concepts: perspective, connection
Related Concepts:
Communication
Inquiry into
The elements of folk and fairy tales
What these tales reveal about each culture (lessons learned)
The universal beliefs revealed through the tale
Forms of expression / Central Idea
Weather and the changing seasons impact the environment and organisms.
Key Concepts:
Causation, change
Related Concepts:
Earth Systems
Inquiry into
How weather patterns change throughout the year
How people and organisms adaptbecause of changes in the weather and seasons
How we gather data and communicate data about the weather
Add one about maps as a tool? / Central Idea
People have a responsibility to problem-solve regarding the scarcity of resources
Key Concepts: responsibility,function, connection
Related Concepts:
Economics, Civics
Inquiry into
Responsibility of community members to advocate their ideas
The impact ofscarce resources around the world
Where resources or goods come from
Add one about PFL—short and long term goals? / Central Idea
Organisms interact with their environment to survive
Key Concepts: connection, change
Related Concepts:
Life Science, habitat, adaptation
Inquiry into
Characteristics of a healthy environment
How and why organisms depend on their habitat and live together
The advantages of specific structures
Behaviors of organisms
Add one about how populations function as group?
Who We Are
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. / 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 interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and 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 human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the inter connectedness 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 / 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.
3 / Central Idea
Beliefs systems influence how people interact
Key Concepts:perspective, connection, reflection
Related Concepts:
History, Belief Systems, Conflict, Peace, Religion
Inquiry into
The history of belief systems
Similarities and differences of belief systems across the globe
Influences of spirituality
Conflicts in history surrounding beliefs and values / Central Idea:
Understanding interconnected systems guides decision-making
Key Concepts: Causation, Connection, Responsibility
Related Concepts:
Rights, regions, Systems, homeostasis, consequence, impact, Technology, Economics, Geography, communication
Inquiry into
The roles within systems
Interdependence of systems to maintain balance
Impact of change on systems / Central Idea:
Peoplecan create or manipulate messages to target specific audiences.
Key Concepts:
Connection, Perspective, responsibility
Related Concepts:
Creativity
Inquiry into:
 / Central Idea
Earth’s geographical features are in a continual state of change.
Key Concepts: form, change
Related Concepts:
Earth Systems
Inquiry into
 Rocks, the solid material of the earth and soil
 The changing physical features of the Earth’s surface
 Fossils as evidence of plants and animals that lived on earth / Central Idea
Businesses and organizations meet the needs and wants of people and communities
Key Concepts:function,causation,connection
Related Concepts:
Civics, Economics
Inquiry into
Ways to advocate ideas in a community
Decision-making tools in planning costs and services
Determining needs in the community
Many forms of exchange / Central Idea
The availability of usable water impacts human activity.
Key Concepts: causation, function, responsibility
Related Concepts:
Physical Science
Inquiry into
The water cycle and how it affects weather around the world
Using evidence to develop scientific explanations about how heating and cooling affects states of matter
Water as a finite resource
Ways to conserve water
Who We Are
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. / 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 interconnections of individuals and civilizations, from local and 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 human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment. / How We Organize Ourselves
An inquiry into the inter connectedness 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 / 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.
4 / Central Idea
TBD… mining/colorado history? / Central Idea
People take risk in moving to a new region for opportunities.
Key Concepts:change, causation, reflection
Related Concepts:
Development, Goods and Services, Geography, History, industry
Inquiry into
Why people of various cultures settle in certain regions.
The impact of various technological developments in mining and transportation in certain developed regions
How primary sources help us learn about the past or create more questions
The cause and effect relationships of settlement and industry / Central Idea
Dramatic expression can to be used to communicate, engage the audience and invite a response
Key Concepts: reflection, function
Related Concepts:
Communication
Inquiry into
Forms and purposes of dramatic expression,
The relationship between the audience and the artist.
The use of voice in the development of characters.
The ability art has to influence thinking and behavior / Central Idea
Energy comes in many forms and continued explorations into its properties advances technology
Key Concepts: function,causation, perspective
Related Concepts:
Physical Science, Energy
Inquiry into
Light, heat, sound and electricity
How the scientific method is used to explore new ideas
Renewable and nonrenewable energy
Components of the solar system / Central Idea
Governmental systems can protect and care for communities.
Key Concepts: function,form responsibility
Related Concepts:
Civics, Government
Inquiry into
The purpose of government services
How government systems help protect and care for communities and their environment
How people interact through local governments / Central Idea
The differences and similarities of ecosystems affect life in and around them.
Key Concepts: change, connection, responsibility
Related Concepts:
Life Science, Systems
Inquiry into
Global biomes
How people and animals adapt over time to their habitat