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4th Grade

How the World Works

Start Date: 10/15/2018
End Date: 11/16/2018

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:

 Understanding relationships helps you make useful predictions about the world around you.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Types of forces and characteristics
  • How relationships between forces change
  • Patterns between forces and motion

Key Concepts:

Function, Change, Connection

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research, Social

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker

Supporting Attitudes:

Creativity, Cooperation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art

Personal Social PE

Who We Are

Start Date: 1/21/2019
End Date: 3/1/2019

Theme:

An inquiry into the nature of the 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:

Conflict shapes and alters the physical and social world.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Problems that lead to conflict and war
  • How war and conflict affect physical boundaries
  • How conflict alters societies

Key Concepts:

Function, Causation, Change

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research, Thinking, Social

Learner Profile:

Thinker, Knowledgeable

Supporting Attitudes:

Respect, Tolerance, Empathy

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E. (deep collaboration)

Where We Are in Time & Place

Start Date: 11/26/2018
End Date: 1/18/2019

Theme:

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

Central Idea:

Humans explore for different reasons.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Reasons people migrate.
  • Consequences of exploration.
  • Exploration leads to unexpected benefits and new discoveries.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Change, Connection

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research

Learner Profile:

Open-Minded, Risk-taker, Inquirer

Supporting Attitudes:

Curiosity, Confidence, Commitment

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E.

How We Organize Ourselves

Start Date: 9/4/2018
End Date: 10/12/2018

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:

Humans create organizational systems.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Systems humans use to organize themselves.
  • Purpose of systems
  • Application of systems locally and globally

Key Concepts:

Form, Causation, Responsibilty

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Thinking, Communication

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Communication

Supporting Attitudes:

Cooperation, Curiosity

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E.

Sharing the Planet

Start Date: 3/4/2019
End Date: 4/12/2019

Theme:

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:

Shared resources link the planet and its people.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Harmful pollutants locally and globally
  • Reasons for ineffective and effective conservation.
  • Responsible use of renewable and nonrenewable resources

Key Concepts:

Causation, Perspective, Responsibility

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Social, Communication

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Reflective, Caring

Supporting Attitudes:

Appreciation, Cooperation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art (deep collaboration)

Personal Social P.E.

How We Express Ourselves

Start Date: 4/15/2019
End Date: 5/24/2019

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:

People have differing opinions, ideas, and customs and express themselves in unique and creative ways.

Lines of Inquiry:

  • Different cultures value different traditions.
  • Cultures express themselves through various means: clothing, food, rituals, music, dance, and traditional stories.
  • Responsibility to preserve unique cultures and traditions

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Function, Causation

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Social, Communication, Self-Management

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music (deep collaboration)

Art

Personal Social P.E.