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4th Grade

How the World Works

Start Date: 11/12/2018
End Date: 12/21/2018

Theme:

An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) the 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:

Energy is all around

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Different forms of energy.
  • Process of transferring energy.
  • Conservation of energy and our responsibility.

Key Concepts:

Form, Function, Responsibility

Related Concept:

Efficiency

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Thinking Skills: Acquisition of Knowledge, Analysis, Application
Research Skills: Formulate questions, planning, presenting research findings

Learner Profile:

Thinker, Inquirer

Supporting Attitudes:

Independence, Respect

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language

Music

Art

P.E. (deep collaboration)

Collaborate all year in each unit.

Who We Are

Start Date: 1/8/2019
End Date: 2/15/2019

Theme:

An inquiry into the nature of self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships include families, friends, communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

Central Idea:

Conflicts in beliefs can alter world.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Significance of beliefs and values.
  • Problems that lead to conflict and war.
  • How conflict affects people groups and boundaries.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Function, Responsibility, Reflection

Related Concept:

Prejudice

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Social Skills: Respect, cooperating, resolving conflict, group decision making
Communication Skills: Speaking, writing

Learner Profile:

Reflective, Caring

Supporting Attitudes:

Empathy, Appreciation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

P.E.

Collaborate all year in each unit.

Where We Are in Place & Time

Start Date: 10/8/2018
End Date: 11/9/2018

Theme:

An inquiry into the orientation in place and time, personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations, migrations of humankind; the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations from local and global perspectives.

Central Idea:

Movement is caused by interior and exterior forces.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Physical features, location and how those affect migration.
  • Reasons people move.
  • Rewards and consequences of migrating.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Perspective, Connection

Related Concept:

Interdependence

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research Skills: Formulating questions, collecting data, organizing data and presenting findings.

Learner Profile:

Open-minded

Supporting Attitudes:

Tolerance, Respect

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

P.E.

Collaborate all year in each unit.

How We Organize Ourselves

Start Date: 2/18/2019
End Date: 4/5/2019

Theme:

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.

Central Idea:

Systems are used to establish structure in societies.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Types of governments and how they operate.
  • Historical events and people who shape the society we live in.
  • The relationship between past and present people and events.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Change, Connection

Related Concept:

Transformation

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research Skills: Formulating questions, collecting data, interpreting data

Learner Profile:

Knowledgeable

Supporting Attitudes:

Curiosity, Integrity

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

P.E.

Collaborate all year in each unit.

Sharing the Planet

Start Date: 4/8/2019
End Date: 5/31/2019

Theme:

An inquiry into the 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:

Man-made and natural systems interact and have an impact on one another.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Components of man-made and natural systems.
  • Cycles in an ecosystem and how they interact.
  • The effect of adding or removing components in a system.

Key Concepts:

Form, Function, Change

Related Concept:

Cycles

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research Skills: Observe, record data

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Balanced

Supporting Attitudes:

Commitment, Cooperation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

PE

Collaborate all year in each unit.

Sharing the Planet

Start Date: 4/8/2019
End Date: 5/31/2019

Theme:

An inquiry into the 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:

Man-made and natural systems interact and have an impact on one another.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Components of man-made and natural systems.
  • Cycles in an ecosystem and how they interact.
  • The effect of adding or removing components in a system.

Key Concepts:

Form, Function, Change

Related Concepts:

Cycles

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research Skills: Observe, record data

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Balanced

Supporting Attitudes:

Commitment, Cooperation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language

Music

Art (deep collaboration)

PE

Collaborate all year in each unit.

How We Express Ourselves

Start Date: 8/27/2018
End Date: 10/5/2018

Theme:

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:

Humans use written language to express themselves.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • How people express themselves through different forms of communication.
  • How language has evolved over time.
  • Various forms of language around the world.

Key Concepts:

Form, Function, Connection

Related Concept:

networks

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Communication Skills: Speaking, Writing

Learner Profile:

Risk-taker, Reflective

Supporting Attitudes:

Creativity

Single Subject Collaboration:

Chinese World Language (deep collaboration)

Music (deep collaboration)

Art

PE

Collaborate all year in each unit.