Who We Are
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
Grade 5
Grade 4
Grade 3
Grade 1
Subject focus: Social Studies/Social Responsibility
Concepts: Responsibility, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
- our roles and responsibilities in the places we live and
learn
- how our behaviours affect others and their roles
- how we meet the expectations for roles and
responsibilities at school
Central Idea: (1)
Listening to each other and sharing our perspectives
helps us live together better
Subject focus: Social Studies/Dramatic Arts
Concepts: Perspective, Responsibility, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-why people think and feel differently
-roles, rights and responsibilities
-how understanding each others’ perspectives can help
solve conflict
Central Idea: (1)
Heroes are found within communities
Aspengrove School Programme of Inquiry 2011-12
How We Express Ourselves
How the World Works
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.
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: (2)
School grounds provide unique opportunities for learning
Central Idea: (3)
Art is a language used to express our feelings
and tell a story
Subject Focus: Fine Art
Concepts: Form, Perspective, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-explore different art forms
-story telling through art
-the feelings art can create
Central Idea: (2)
Thoughts, ideas and feelings are expressed
in many different ways
Subject Focus: Science
Concepts: Perspective, Reflective
Lines of Inquiry:
-our emotions, feelings, ideas
-different forms of expressions
-expressing our feelings appropriately
Central Idea: (5)
Authors use words to communicate
their ideas and to connect with others
Subject Focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Connection, Function
Lines of Inquiry:
-our inside environment
-our outside environment
-things we can do in our environment
Central Idea: (4)
Journeys create change and can lead to new opportunities
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Causation, Change
Lines of Inquiry:
- types of journeys people make
- choices and decisions involved in making a journey
- changes experienced because of a journey
Subject focus: Language Arts
Concepts: Form, Perspective
Lines of Inquiry:
- who an author is
- inspirations for writing
- strategies authors use
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 on the
environment.
How we Organize Ourselves
Sharing the Planet
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.
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: (4)
Shapes are within our environment and are used
to create objects and pictures
Subject Focus: Mathematics
Concepts: Form, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-characteristics of a shape
-shapes in our environment
-objects can be created through manipulation of shapes
Central Idea: (4)
Light creates shadows and reflections which effect our environment
Central Idea (3)
Our planet’s water is a natural and finite resource
Subject Focus: Science
Concepts: Form, Causation, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-sources of light
-how shadows and reflections are created
-how light and shadows affect the environment
Central Idea: (2)
Animals have and use senses in different situations
Central Idea: (3)
We understand, interpret and describe our
world through mathematics
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Change, function, form
Lines of Inquiry:
-sources of water
-how water is used
-water as a finite resource
Central Idea: (all year)
People interact with, use, and value the natural
environment in different ways
Subject focus: Mathematics
Concepts: Function, Form
Lines of Inquiry:
- classification and sorting
- more or less – quantity
- one to one correspondence
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Responsibility, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
- local natural environment
- human use of the local environment
- actions that benefit or harm the local environment
Central Idea (4):
Living things have basic needs that
are met by their environment
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Function, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
- the five senses and the important roles they play
- how animals use their senses
- what life would be like without one or more of the senses
Central Idea: (3)
Culture and geography affect childhood experiences
Central Idea: (5)
Dance is used to express emotions and feelings
Central Idea: (2)
Patterns help people understand the world
Central Idea: (6)
A variety of transportation systems are used daily
Subject focus: Language Arts/ Social Studies/Physical
Education
Concepts: Perspective, Connection, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-our childhood experiences
-how culture and geography affect childhood experiences
-what childhood looks like around the world
Subject focus: Performing Arts/Physical Education
Concepts: Form, Perspective, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
-different dance forms
-purpose and function of dance
-the connection between emotion and dance
Subject focus: Literacy/Music/Numeracy/Science
Concepts: Change, Form, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-identifying and predicting patterns around us
-how patterns help us learn
-noticing changes in patterns
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Function
Lines of Inquiry:
-different transportation modes and systems
-force and motion involved in locomotion
-environmentally friendly choices of transportations
Central Idea: (4)
Central Idea: (2)
Information technology offers opportunities
to communicate and connect
Central Idea: (6)
People create and use maps
Subject focus: Social Studies, Social Responsibility/PSPE
Concepts: Perspective, Responsibility, Form
Lines of Inquiry:
-characteristics of a hero
-our society’s role in allowing heroes
-heroes among us
Subject focus: Social Studies/ Language Arts/PSPE
Concepts: Form, Function, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
- the purpose and function of mapping
- language and elements of maps
- reading maps for orientation in place (PE)
Central Idea: (1)
Over time, different factors create
and impact communities
Subject focus: Social Studies/Physical Education/Literacy
Concepts: Connection, Perspective, Change
Lines of Inquiry:
-what is a community
-why a community is developed
-different factors that impact a community
Central Idea: (2)
People have unique ancestral histories
Central Idea: (4)
Cultures and traditions of aboriginal people
evolve over time
Subject focus: Social Studies/Physical Education/Visual
Arts
Concepts: Perspective, Connection, Change
Lines of Inquiry:
-who are the aboriginal people
-aboriginal past and present culture
-interaction between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people
over time
Central Idea: (2)
Our body systems can be healthier with
knowledge and proper care
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Change, Responsibility, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-the different body systems
-how body systems function
-the interconnectedness of systems
-how to maintain healthy systems
Central Idea: (2)
Contact between cultures can cause historical changes
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 1
K
Grade 3
JK
4
Grade 4
JK
3
Central Idea: (1)
Awareness of ourselves now and when we were babies
allow us to see our growth and history
Subject Focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Reflection, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-me as a baby
-me as a child
-my role in my family
Central Idea: (all year-1)
Being aware of dangers around us allow us
to make safe decisions
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Reflection, Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
-the importance of safety
-how we stay safe in various situations
-who can help us be safe
Central Idea: (1)
We depend on each other to keep places where
we live and learn working effectively
Where We Are in Place and Time
Subject focus: Social Studies/Literacy
Concepts: Perspective, Change, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
-who our ancestors are
-comparison of life and culture between us and our ancestors
-how their past influences our present
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Causation, Perspective, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
-how groups have responded to contact
-people’s perception of contact
-types of relationships formed through contact
Central Idea: (4)
People are compelled to migrate within the world
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Causation, Change, Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
-what compels people to migrate
-how people migrate
-the effects migration has on regions, societies and culture
Central Idea: (5)
Fairy Tales entertain and help us explore ideas, feelings
and values
Subject focus: Literacy, Social Responsibility
Concepts: Perspective, Form, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
- the main elements of Fairy Tales
- perspectives of characters in Fairy Tales
- inferences audiences make
- the Arts enhance stories
Central Idea: (6)
Visual Art is created as a means of
personal and cultural expression
Subject focus: Fine Arts/ Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Perspective, Reflection
Lines of Inquiry:
-the elements of art
-ways people use art to preserve and transmit culture
-the methods and media people use to express themselves
through art
Central Idea: (3)
Advances in sound technology influence
how we express ourselves
Subject focus: Science/music
Concepts: Form, Causation, Change
Lines of Inquiry:
-properties of sound
-identifying sources of sound
-advances in sound technology
-how sound is used to express one’s identity
Central Idea: (5)
EXHIBITION
Matter exists in many forms
Subject focus: Science, Literacy, Numeracy
Concepts: Reflection, Form, Change
Lines of Inquiry:
-states of matter
-how matter interacts and changes
Central Idea: (4)
Objects in Space create natural phenomena on Earth
Subject focus: ICT, Literacy
Concepts: Connection, Responsibility, Function
Lines of Inquiry:
- the function of different types of communication tools.
- respectful and safe communication through ICT
- balancing technology use with other interests and forms of
communication
Central Idea: (3)
The design of structures is dependent upon the
environment and available materials
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Form, Causation, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-the objects in Space
-explanation of natural phenomena
-connections between objects in Space and natural phenomena
Subject focus: Science/Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Function, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
- what is a structure
- considerations to take into account when building a structure
Central Idea: (6)
Weather related natural disasters have an impact on the world
Central Idea: (5)
Mass Media reflects a society’s values
Subject focus: Science/ Social Studies
Concepts: Causation, Function, Form,
Lines of Inquiry:
-types of natural disasters
-the consequences of natural disasters
-how humans prepare for natural disasters
-how humans recover from natural disasters
Subject focus: Social Studies/ Language Arts/Dramatic Arts
Concepts: Connection, Perspective, Function
Lines of Inquiry:
-what are the different forms of mass media
-the influences of mass media on society
-identifying and interpreting differing perspectives presented by
media
-our responsibilities in developing and monitoring mass media
Central Idea: (3)
Humans organize themselves into levels of government
Central Idea: (1)
Simple Machines affect quality of life
Subject focus: Science/Technology
Concepts: Form, Perspective, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-the principles of simple machines
-the principle of forces
-how simple machines have evolved over time and how humans benefit
from this evolution
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Responsibility, Function, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-what levels of government exist and the roles they play
-how people become elected
-responsibilities of elected officials
Subject focus: Science/ Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Connection, Causation
Lines of Inquiry:
-living and non-living things
-the interdependence among living things
Central Idea: (3)
Air, water, and soil quality depends upon different factors
Subject focus: Science, Literacy
Concepts: Responsibility, Causation, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
- properties of air, water, soil
-what causes pollution
-our responsibility around pollution
Central Idea: (5)
Plants play an integral role in sustaining life
Subject focus: Science/Literacy
Concepts: Form, Connection, Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
-structure of plants
-basic needs of plants
-importance of plants to other living things
-our responsibility in sustaining plant life.
Central Idea: (1)
The balance of living things in an ecosystem is affected by
behaviour and environment
Subject focus: Social Studies
Concepts: Form, Connection, Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
-simple food chains & webs
-importance of individual/keystone species on ecological balance
-local and global structures and behaviours of animals
Central Idea: (6)
Finite resources are shared among
humans and other living things
Subject focus: Science
Concepts: Function, Responsibility, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:
-renewable and non-renewable resources
-the roles natural resources play in the lives of living things
-ways humans might use natural resources fairly
Aspengrove School Programme of Inquiry 2011-12
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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.
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 on the
environment.
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.
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.