Units of Inquiry

Who We Are

8-9-23 to 9-15-23

Central Idea: 

Our shared values, customs, and beliefs impact us as learners.

Lines of Inquiry:

 Learning styles and preferences. Responsibilities as a learner. 

Our beliefs and values impact and unite as learners

Key Concepts: 

Responsibility

Causation

Perspective

Learner Profiles: 

Open-minded

Knowledgeable

Reflective

Approaches to Learning: 

Social Skills

Self-Management Skills 

How We Organize Ourselves

9-19-23 to 11-10-23

Central Idea: 

Community members impact their surroundings

Lines of Inquiry: 

What it means to make a decision.

How our thoughts & actions impact our lives.

How choices result in different consequences.

Key Concepts: 

Function

Responsibility

Causation

Learner Profiles: 

Thinker

Open-Minded 

Knowledgeable

Approaches to Learning: 

Research skills 

Thinking skills

How We Express Ourselves

11-13-23 to 12-21-23

Central Idea:  

Values and beliefs influence how ideas are discovered and expressed.

Lines of Inquiry: 

Our beliefs drive how we express ourselves.

Discoveries influence society.

Key Concepts: 

Perspective

Change

Responsibility

Learner Profiles: 

Thinkers

Inquirers

Open-minded

Approaches to Learning: 

Thinking (Creative):

Design improvements to existing products, processes, media and technologies.

Communication Skills (Exchanging information): 

Be aware of cultural differences when providing and interpreting communication.

Research Skills (Information Literacy):

Present information in a variety of formats and platforms. 

Where We Are In Place and Time

1-9-24 to 2-15-24

Central Idea: 

Earth's geography has an impact on human interaction.

Lines of Inquiry: 

Our beliefs drive how we express ourselves.

Relationships between location and settlement.

Key Concepts: 

Function

Perspective

Causation

Learner Profiles: 

Open Minded

Inquiry

Knowledgeable

Approaches to Learning:

Research: 

-Draw conclusions from relationships and patterns that emerge from data

-Sort and categorize information, arrange information into understandable forms such as narratives, explanatory, and procedural writing, tables, timelines, graphs, and diagrams 

Thinking: 

-Apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar situations or outside of school

-Record thinking and reflection processes 

How The World Works

2/20-4/5

Central Idea: 

Behaviors and choices impact the environment. 

Lines of Inquiry: 

Human behaviors impact the environment

Choices affect an ecosystem

Key Concepts: 

Causation

Function

Form

Learner Profiles:

Balanced

Principled 

Inquirers

Approaches to Learning: 

Communication Skills (Literacy)

Reading- Make inferences and draw conclusions

Writing- Use appropriate forms of writing for different purposes and audience

Sharing the Planet

Central Idea: 

Interactions within an ecosystem.

Lines of Inquiry: 

Relationships among living things and ecosystems. -reflective/caring

Structures of living things, environment, and habitats.-inquiring

Impact of modifying the environment. -inquiring/reflective

Key Concepts: 

Causation- human and animals

Change- the environment being modified

Connection- food chain interdependence

Function-How does it work

Related Concepts:

Living Things

Interdependence

Ecosystem

Learner Profiles: 

Inquiring

Caring

Reflective

Approaches to Learning: 

Thinking- help others develop conceptual understandings and skills

Research- sort and categories information, arrange  information into understandable forms such as narratives, explanatory, and procedural writing. (tables, timelines, graphs, and diagrams)