How the World Works

Program of Inquiry: How the World Works

Studied approximately January through February

Plans Overview:
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.

Ages 18 months-3 years
Central Idea: Wind and water are natural resources with unique characteristics.
Essential Questions: Form, Change, Connection
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Makes predictions, performs simple investigations, and uses observations to explore
  2. Investigates the seasons and observes seasonal changes; observes daily weather
  3. Records observations by dictating to an adult, drawing pictures, or using other forms of writing

 Ages 4-5 years
Central Idea: People use technology and observations to investigate weather and the effects on the community.
Key concepts: Change, connection
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Observe and report daily weather
  2. Identify weather features and differences
  3. Observe and determine the effects of weather on human activities
  4. Use common tools and technology to measure weather

Ages 6-8 years
Central Idea: The discoveries and explorations of various geographical features have given humans the responsibility of caring for and managing their environment.
Key Concepts: Form, connection, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Geographical features
  2. The relationships between humans and geographical features
  3. Human values/responsibilities in relation to the geographical features

Central Idea: The world around us is composed of matter, which can go through various changes.
Key Concepts: Form, change, causation
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Characteristics and properties of solids, liquids and gases
  2. How and why matter changes states
  3. Natural occurrences related to matter state and state change

Central Idea: Our perspective on patterns in the sky shape our understanding of Earth’s cycles.
Key Concepts: Form, connection
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Celestial bodies in the sky
  2. Develop observational skills using selected observational tools
  3. Patterns of movement in the sky

Ages 9-11 years
Central Idea: Technology impacts on the world of work and leisure.
Key Concepts: Change, connection, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Technologies and interventions of the home, workplace, and leisure activities
  2. Circumstances that lead to the development of important inventions and their impact
  3. How technology supports/impacts sustainability

Central Idea: People use their scientific principles to predict weather patterns.
Key Concepts: Function, connection, change
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Weather tools are used to collect data
  2. Changing weather patterns help us predict the weather
  3. Water changes state as it moves through the water cycle