Essential Question:  How does our environment affect us?

1. How do people travel in different environments?

2. How do different cultures relate to their environment?

3. How can an environment affect lives and relationships?

4. What creative solutions do people come up with to survive in their environment?

5. Why should we appreciate our environment?

Project-Based Inquiry Project:  A Safe Place to Play

At the end of the unit, students will get the chance to apply what they've learned about environments.

Students will research what could be done to improve a local park or playground. Then write an opinion letter to the principal or park official.

Anchor texts for Unit 1 listed below.

Essential Question:  How do plants and animals live together?

1. How do patterns in nature help plants and animals?

2. How do living things in a habitat support one another?

3. How can a chain of events affect plants and animals?

4. How does reintroduction of a species affect plants and animals in a habitat?

5. Why is it important for plants and animals to depend on each other?

Project-Based Inquiry Project:  Make Note of it!

At the end of the unit, students will get the chance to apply what they've learned about interactions.

Students will research plant and animal relationships. Then create a scrapbook about a plant and animal relationship.

Anchor texts for Unit 2 listed below.

Essential Question:  What makes a hero?

1. What qualities do we see in heroes?

2. How can a hero's actions affect other people?

3. How do challenges turn ordinary people into heroes?

4. Why do people need heroes?

5. What kinds of actions can be heroic?

Project-Based Inquiry Project:  Be a Hero!

At the end of the unit, students will get the chance to apply what they've learned about heroes.

Students will write an opinion speech about why it is important to take advantage of heroic opportunities. Then research evidence that supports their claim and persuades their audience.

Anchor texts for Unit 3 listed below.

Essential Question:  How do communities change over time?

1. How can one person improve a community?

2. How can personal stories change society?

3. How do big ideas change communities?

4. How can a leader's experience inspire change?

5. How do people support each other in difficult times?

Project-Based Inquiry Project: Past and Present

At the end of the unit, students will get the chance to apply what they've learned about events.

Students will research communities that have changed over time. Then create a poster showing a part of a city or town that has changed.

Anchor texts for Unit 4 listed below.

Essential Question:  How does the world challenge us?

1. How can one person improve a community?

2. How can personal stories change society?

3. How do big ideas change communities?

4. How can a leader's experience inspire change?

5. How do people support each other in difficult times?

Project-Based Inquiry Project: Past and Present

At the end of the unit, students will get the chance to apply what they've learned about solutions.

Students will write a travel brochure that persuades readers to visit, or not visit, a place likely to be affected by a natural disaster. Then research evidence that supports their claim and persuades their audience.

Anchor texts for Unit 5 listed below.