WAB Learns: ES Units of Inquiry: Home

HOW THE WORLD WORKS

An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment.

Central Idea:

People use materials for different purposes

Lines of Inquiry:

The properties of materials
How materials can be used and/or combined for different purposes
How materials can change

Central Idea:

Investigating and understanding the natural world impacts our actions

Lines of Inquiry:

Working scientifically
Appreciating living things and the environment
Actions impact the natural world

Central Idea:

Scientists explore using processes to make discoveries

Lines of Inquiry:

The properties of light and sound
The uses of light and sound
The Scientific Method

Central Idea:

Forces have an effect on people and objects

Lines of Inquiry:

The forces around us
How a force can change the movement, direction or appearance of an object
How humans use their understanding of force

Central Idea:

Scientists use processes to investigate the transformation of the natural world

Lines of Inquiry:

How natural processes change the Earth's surface
The different ways scientists communicate their understanding

Central Idea:

Purpose impacts Design

Lines of Inquiry:

The environmental considerations for designing and building structures
The impact of technological advances
How the properties of natural and processed materials influence their use

Central Idea:

Understanding the properties of energy allows people to make informed choices

Lines of Inquiry:

Heat can be produced in many ways and transfer from one object to another
Scientific knowledge informs personal and community decisions
Scientific principles can be used to design, construct and test
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future

HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES

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:

We communicate through our use of the 100 languages

Lines of Inquiry:

Different 'languages' we use for expression
The reasons people choose different ways to express themselves
What is important to say: our feelings, identity, stories, and ideas

Central Idea:

Exploration can grow our ability to think, create and express our ideas and feelings

Lines of Inquiry:

Different ways to express ourselves
Using tools, materials and techniques to create and communicate

Central Idea:

Storytellers can use the creative process to express their ideas

Lines of Inquiry:

How the writing and illustrating process works
Why authors and illustrators change their work
What makes a good book

Central Idea:

Voice inspires Change

Lines of Inquiry:

Why people communicate
messages for change in our community
Advocating for change

Central Idea:

We can communicate our learning in different ways

Lines of Inquiry:

The ways in which people express their learning
Why people express their learning in different ways

Central Idea:

Media is a tool that may influence the decisions people make

Lines of Inquiry:

The different forms of media
The techniques media can use to influence
How we can create media to influence others

Central Idea:

Artists can inspire and challenge others to take action

Lines of Inquiry:

Interpreting messages through a variety of media
How artists inspire and challenge others to take action
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future

HOW WE ORGANIZE OURSELVES

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:

People organize themselves to sustain our local and global community

Lines of Inquiry:

Awareness of ecological problems in local community and global community
Investigation into actions of sustainability
Individual and collective responsibilities to the community

Central Idea:

Communities are organized and connected to meet the needs of their people

Lines of Inquiry:

The needs and systems in a community
How systems meet a community's needs
How systems are connected

Central Idea:

Technology impacts how people work together and connect with each other

Lines of Inquiry:

The impact of technology on communities and organizations
How technology is used and organized
Our responsibility in virtual environments

Central Idea:

Communities adapt to resolve real-life changes

Lines of Inquiry:

How a community adapts to diverse needs of its members
How communities can be sustainable
Different ways to express ourselves as community members

Central Idea:

We can learn how a city is organized, functions and has changed through interactions and observations

Lines of Inquiry:

How cities are structured
How cities function
How these have changed over time

Central Idea:

The structures and systems of community groups and organizations can impact change

Lines of Inquiry:

Systems that support the function of groups
Individual and group decision-making processes
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future

WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE & TIME

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

Central Idea:

We connect to the past and present through personal and global stories

Lines of Inquiry:

How stories have been told over time
How stories about the past connect us to the present
How stories are told from different perspectives

Central Idea:

Curiosity inspires exploration

Lines of Inquiry:

Reasons for exploration 
Explorations of past and present 
The consequences of exploration

Central Idea:

Our lives can be affected by the contributions of significant people

Lines of Inquiry:

The effect of significant people on our lives
The ways contributions affect our lives
How expressing ourselves contribute to other's lives

Central Idea:

Inventions and innovations evolve in response to opportunities and needs

Lines of Inquiry:

What drives invention and innovation
How inventions evolve over time
Significant inventions over time

Central Idea:

Learning from the past can help us understand present day society and shape goals for the future

Lines of Inquiry:

How the world has changed over time
Actions and events that cause change in societies
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future

WHO WE ARE

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

Central Idea:

Making connections can develop our sense of well-being

Lines of Inquiry:

How my interests lead me to make friends through play (connection)
How to be a friend (causation)
How friendships make us fee (causation)

Central Idea:

Individuals contribute to the wellbeing of themselves and the community. Being aware of yourself helps build positive relationships with others.

Lines of Inquiry:

An inquiry into my uniqueness, similarities and differences with self and others
An inquiry into my responsibilities and relationships with others in my environment
An inquiry into communicating our feelings thoughts and ideas y responsibilities and relationships with others in my environment

Central Idea:

Our actions can contribute to the well-being of our relationships and our communities

Lines of Inquiry:

How I am connected to other people
How our actions affect our relationships and our community
How we make and maintain relationships

Central Idea:

People are responsible for their choices

Lines of Inquiry:

The importance of being balanced
How daily choices impact our health and safety
How we can best take care of our relationships with our self and others

Central Idea:

Understanding what people believe can enable us to become internationally minded.

Lines of Inquiry:

Experiences can shape our beliefs and values
How open-minded listening helps people connect
How our values and beliefs influence our lives as global citizens
The different ways we express our identities

Central Idea:

Our bodies rely on interdependent systems.

Lines of Inquiry:

Body systems and their functions
How body systems are interconnected
The impact of lifestyle choices on health and well-being

Central Idea:

The changes people experience at different stages of their lives affect their evolving sense of identity

Lines of Inquiry:

The physical and emotional changes during puberty
How positive relationships contribute to our well-being
How identity is constructed, expressed, and perceived
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future

SHARING THE PLANET

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:

Our actions can impact living things

Lines of Inquiry:

Living and non-living things
The life cycles of living things
How our actions make a difference

Central Idea:

Animals, humans, and plants need each other to survive.

Lines of Inquiry:

Plants, animals, and humans depend on each other
Characteristics and needs of plants and animals
Our responsibility to plants and animals

Central Idea:

People can make responsible choices when using resources

Lines of Inquiry:

Resources found in our environments
The impact of our choices on the environment
Sustainable ways that people use resources

Central Idea:

Living things adapt.

Lines of Inquiry:

The special features of living things
How living things adapt
How changing environments are affecting living things

Central Idea:

Human behavior and natural events affect the balance of an ecosystem

Lines of Inquiry:

The consequences of imbalance within an ecosystem
How parts of an ecosystem are (inter)connected
Ways ecosystems are impacted
How our actions communicate environmental values

Central Idea:

Human consumption impacts the environment

Lines of Inquiry:

The resources that humans consume
How consumption impacts the environment
The individual, collective and technological solutions (current and future)

Central Idea:

Change can be achieved by taking action on local and global issues

Lines of Inquiry:

Local and global issues affecting communities
Why individuals choose to make a difference
The work others have done and are doing to make a difference
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future