How We Organize Ourselves

Program of Inquiry: How We Organize Ourselves

 Plans Overview: 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.

Ages 18 months-3 years
Central Idea: School communities function more effectively when rules and routines are shared with all members.
Key Concepts: Function, causation, connection, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. The concept of organization (school rules/routines)
  2. Different systems or organization that we us personally
  3. Consequences of choices

Ages 4-5 years
Central Idea: Individuals apply their knowledge and skills to make responsible decisions in everyday life.
Key Concepts: Responsibility, connection, causation
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Distinguish between wants and needs
  2. Distinguish between medicinal and non-medicinal drug use
  3. Making healthy informed choices in their nutrition and physical activities

Ages 6-8 years
Central Idea: The needs and wants of humans are satisfied in a variety of ways in order to thrive in their environment.
Key Concepts: Function, connection
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Understanding needs and wants
  2. How needs and wants differ
  3. How needs and wants are satisfied
  4. How the economy is impacted by one’s environment

Central Idea: Economic choices impact the role we play as producers and consumers in our world.
Key Concepts: Connection, responsibility, function
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. How producers and consumers are dependent on each other
  2. The role of different marketplaces
  3. Economic choices impact success of markets

Central Idea: Citizens of a community have right and responsibilities.
Key Concepts: Responsibility, causation, function
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Rights versus responsibilities of various communities of the world
  2. Responsibilities and roles of citizens
  3. Advantages of contributing citizens

Ages 9-11 years
Central Idea:   Societal decision-making is created to maintain a balanced community.
Key Concepts: Form, function
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Roles of people in governments
  2. How people govern themselves
  3. Responding to human needs

Central Idea: The evolving needs of humans affect the structure and functions of societal organizations.
Key Concepts: Function, change, responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:

  1. Recognize how government has changed over time
  2. Identify the function of various levels of government
  3. The responsibility of a government to protect human rights