Unit 1 - How we express ourselves
September - October
September - October
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.
Central idea: Narratives are created and expressed different ways.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: Narratives are created and expressed different ways.
Lines of inquiry:
- Narrative Structures
- The purpose of narratives
- Different versions of the same story
Unit 2 - Where we are in place and time
October-December
October-December
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.
Central idea: The experience of childhood has changed over time, but some things have remained the same.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: The experience of childhood has changed over time, but some things have remained the same.
Lines of inquiry:
- Who our grandparents are/were
- Significant events in our grandparents' childhood
- Comparisons between our grandparents' childhood and our own
Unit 3 - Who we are
January-February
January-February
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.
Central idea: The national identity with which people associate, is dependent upon a variety of factors.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: The national identity with which people associate, is dependent upon a variety of factors.
Lines of inquiry:
- Characteristics of a national identity
- Rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizens
- How a country's physical and social characteristics affect its ties with other countries
Unit 4 - How we organize ourselves
February-April
February-April
An inquiry into the 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.
Central idea: Transportation systems are directly related to the needs of a community.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: Transportation systems are directly related to the needs of a community.
Lines of inquiry:
- Specific purposes of different transportation systems
- Relationship between transportation systems, geography, and culture
- Transportation systems over time
- Environmental impact of vehicles and transportation infrastructures
Unit 5 - How the world works
April-May
April-May
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.
Central idea: Multiple systems interact to keep the human body functioning.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: Multiple systems interact to keep the human body functioning.
Lines of inquiry:
- Different body systems
- How the body systems function and interact
- How to keep our body healthy
Unit 6 - Sharing the planet
May-June
May-June
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: Biomes sustain life on Earth for us and for other living things.
Lines of inquiry:
Central idea: Biomes sustain life on Earth for us and for other living things.
Lines of inquiry:
- Individual biomes
- The importance of protecting biomes
- Human impact on biomes
