5th Grade

How the World Works

Start Date: 2/25/2019
End Date: 3/22/2019

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:

Our world is constantly changing.

Lines of Inquiry:

• Landforms
• Natural interactions and how they affect physical features: weathering, erosion, & deposition
• Natural interactions and the impact on natural resources available to communities

Key Concepts:

Form, Causation, Connection

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Self-Management, Social, Thinking

Learner Profile:

Balanced, Caring

Supporting Attitudes:

Confidence, Empathy

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music (deep collaboration)

Art

Personal Social P.E.

Who We Are

Start Date: 11/16/2018
End Date: 12/21/2018

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:

Fervent personal beliefs motivate us to make societal changes.

Lines of Inquiry:

• Various conflicts that cause divisions in society
• Causes and effects of revolutions
• Documents people create to provide structure and power in society and our responsibility

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Causation, Responsibility

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Communication, Social, Self-Management

Learner Profile:

Reflective, Open-Minded

Supporting Attitudes:

Tolerance, Empathy, Respect

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E. (deep collaboration)

Where We Are in Time & Place

Start Date: 1/8/2019
End Date: 2/22/2019

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:

Expansion has positive and negative effects.

Lines of Inquiry:

• The reasons societies expand borders
• Different points of view of expansion
• Types of journeys in the future

Key Concepts:

Change, Perspective, Causation

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Communication, Research, Thinking

Learner Profile:

Knowledgeable, Principled

Supporting Attitudes:

Tolerance, Appreciation

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language (deep collaboration)

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E.

How We Organize Ourselves

Start Date: 8/27/2018
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:

Organization sustains & alters communities.

Lines of Inquiry:

• How communities use geographic factors to determine where people settle
• How people adapt and modify their environment
• Positive and negative consequences of human modification on communities

Key Concepts:

Function, Connection, Causation

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Self-Management, Research, Communication

Learner Profile:

Inquirer, Communicator, Open-minded

Supporting Attitudes:

Creativity

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art

Personal Social P.E.

Sharing the Planet

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

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:

Interactions impact the world environment.

Lines of Inquiry:

• How elements of matter interact with each other in solutions and mixtures in our world.
• Positive and negative effects of mixtures and solutions in communities locally and globally.
• Responsible use of solutions and mixtures in communities.

Key Concepts:   

Function, Connection, Responsibility

Approaches to Learning Skills:

Research, Thinking, Communication

Learner Profile:

Thinker

Supporting Attitudes:

Respect, Tolerance, Independence

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language

Music

Art (deep collaboration)

Personal Social P.E.

How We Express Ourselves

Start Date: 8/27/2018
End Date: 5/30/2019

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:

Individuals connect with others in order to express their beliefs on issues, and take action to make positive changes in our world.

Lines of Inquiry:

Written by students

Key Concepts:  

Form, Function, Causation, Change, Connection, Perspective, Responsibility

Approaches to Learning Skills:

All Skills

Learner Profile:

All

Supporting Attitudes:

All

Single Subject Collaboration:

Spanish World Language (deep collaboration)

Music (deep collaboration)

Art (deep collaboration)

Personal Social P.E. (deep collaboration)