WAB Learns: Program of Inquiry: Home

HOW THE WORLD WORKS

An inquiry into understandings of the world and phenomena through:

patterns, cycles, systems
diverse practices, methods and tools
discovery, design, innovation: possibilities and impacts.

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:

Weather changes and influences our daily lives.

Lines of Inquiry:

Working scientifically
Night and day cycles (dark and light)
Seasonal changes
Health and safety as related to climate and seasonal changes

Central Idea:

Understanding how forces work helps people identify problems and create solutions.

Lines of Inquiry:

What are forces
How forces create different reactions
How we use forces in our lives

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 scientific processes to investigate the transformation of the natural world.

Lines of Inquiry:

What causes transformations in the natural world
How transformations happen on the Earth's surface
The changes we see on Earth

Central Idea:

Fair tests allow scientists to investigate how the world works.

Lines of Inquiry:

Key elements of fair testing
How scientists use the scientific method to test ideas
How experiments help us link cause and effect

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 diversity of voice, perspectives, and expression through:

inspiration, imagination, creativity
personal, social and cultural modes and practices of communication
intentions, perceptions, interpretations and responses.

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:

Imagination and exploration are powerful tools 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
How our imagination helps us to consider other perspectives

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:

People use voice and communication to inspire action and create positive change in communities.

Lines of Inquiry:

Why people express ideas and advocate for change
How messages build relationships and create a sense of community
Ways individuals and groups use their voice to make a difference

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 influences the way we think, feel, and act.

Lines of Inquiry:

The different forms of media
The techniques media can use to influence
The role of ethos, pathos, and logos in influence and persuasion

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 systems, structures and networks through:

interactions within and between social and ecological systems
approaches to livelihoods and trade practices: intended and unintended consequences
representation, collaboration and decision-making.

Central Idea:

People organize themselves in communities to communicate, create, and support each other.

Lines of Inquiry:

Systems of organizations teach us about ourselves, others, and the world
Organization of objects and ideas for different reasons
Our responsibility to the community

Central Idea:

Systems are organized and connected to meet the needs of the community.

Lines of Inquiry:

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

Central Idea:

People organize learning communities to collaborate and grow.

Lines of Inquiry:

People in our community
How people make decisions
How we collaborate to learn

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:

City systems change to meet people's needs.

Lines of Inquiry:

How cities are structured and function
How supply and demand influence the growth and change of cities
How cities chage 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 histories and orientation in place, space, and time through:

periods, events, and artifacts
communities, heritage, culture and environment
natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation, and transformation.

Central Idea:

We connect to the past and future through reflection.

Lines of Inquiry:

The connection between our past and future
Our past experiences shape our future

Central Idea:

Curiosity, personal interest, and passion inspire people to explore.

Lines of Inquiry:

Explorations of past and present 
Motivations of past and present
The impact 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
How stories of significant people connect with our own lives
How expressing ourselves contribute to other's lives

Central Idea:

Inventions and innovations are developed in response to opportunities and challenges.

Lines of Inquiry:

Difference between inventions and innovations
What drives invention and innovation
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 identity as individuals and as part of a collective through:

physical, emotional, social and spiritual health and well-being
relationships and belonging
learning and growing.

Central Idea:

Making connections can develop our sense of well-being.

Lines of Inquiry:

How my interests lead me to make friends through play
How to be a friend
How friendships make us feel

Central Idea:

Being aware of yourself helps build positive relationships with others.

Lines of Inquiry:

Uniqueness, similarities and differences with self and others
Responsibilities and relationships with others in my environment
Communicating feelings, thoughts, and ideas

Central Idea:

People's community and cultural experiences shape their identity.

Lines of Inquiry:

Our cultural experiences and identities
How our identities are connected

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 identity

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:

Emotional and physical changes during puberty
How relationships impact 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 the interdependence of human and natural worlds through:

rights, responsibilities and dignity of all
pathways to just, peaceful and reimagined futures
nature, complexity, coexistence and wisdom.

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:

Humans, plants, and animals 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:

Human actions impact the Earth.

Lines of Inquiry:

Basic needs of living things
Our responsibility of sharing the environment with living things
The impact of human actions on living things

Central Idea:

Human choices about materials impact the natural world and shape future environments.

Lines of Inquiry:

Properties and uses of everyday materials
How materials affect our environment
Actions people can take to create sustainable futures

Central Idea:

Life cycles reflect how living and non-living things are interdependent.

Lines of Inquiry:

Characteristics of living and non-living things
Stages of life cycles
Our role in protecting life cycles and supporting ecosystems

Central Idea:

The connection between environmental issues and consumption gives us many opportunities and challenges.

Lines of Inquiry:

How consumption connects to environmental issues
What solutions are being developed to lessen our impact

Central Idea:

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

Lines of Inquiry:

The causes and effects of personal, local, and global issues
How local and global issues connect to the Sustainable Development Goals
Our responsibility to a better and more sustainable future