Program of Inquiry

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.

Central Idea: People’s attributes, roles and relationships are developed through communication.

Key Concepts:

• Perspective
• Form
• Change

Related Concepts:

• Diversity
• Attributes
• Behavior

Lines of Inquiry:

• People have physical traits
• People have different roles
• People communicate in many ways

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

Central idea:  Exploration creates opportunities for change

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Change
• Form

Related Concepts:

• Transportation 
• Discovery
• Exploration 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Types of journeys
• Decisions regarding journeys
• Opportunities for experiences

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.

Central Idea: Natural resources affect daily lives. 

Key Concepts:

• Function
• Change
• Connection

Related Concepts:

• Trees as a resource
• Sustainability
• Properties and uses of trees

Lines of Inquiry:

• Properties & uses of trees
• Consuming Resources 
• Water & sun as resources

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.

Central Idea:  Our actions impact others

Key Concepts:

• Connection
• Function
• Causation

Related Concepts: 

• Rights
• Roles
• Citizenship

Lines of Inquiry:

• Societies around the world make decisions in different ways
• Rules for children/adults, home, school, and play around the world
• Forming a positive community
• Getting to know the people in our community

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

Central Idea:  Civilizations change over time

Key Concepts: 

• Form
• Function
• Change

Related Concepts:

• Settlements
• Migration
• Sustainability
• Civilizations 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Farming and herding
• Settlement led to development of civilizations
• Contributions of earlier civilizations

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: Cultures express their traditions in various ways

Key Concepts: 

• Connection
• Perspective

Related Concepts: 

• Family
• Traditions
• Expressions
• Culture 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Relationship of earlier generations to future generations
• Contributions of people lead to different cultural celebrations
• Expression of values and traditions through literature, art, music, culture and architecture

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.

Central Idea: Earth materials have many properties and purposes

Key Concepts:

• Function
• Change
• Form

Related Concepts:

• Geology
• Solids
• Properties and uses of materials

Lines of Inquiry:

• Physical properties of pebbles, sand and silt
• Similarities and differences in earth materials around the world
• Explore earth materials
• Uses of earth materials

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: Communities establish structure

Key Concepts: 

• Form
• Change
• Connection

Related Concepts: 

• Communities
• Regions
• Civilizations 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Human features of maps and globes
• Key roles and people in a neighborhood
• Communities vary around the world
• Construction communities

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: Humans utilize resources differently

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Responsibility

Related Concepts: 

• Conservation
• Renewable and nonrenewable resources
• Pollution 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Limited resources on Earth
• Renewable, recyclable and nonrenewable resources
• Importance to the world: recycling and conservation

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.

Central Idea:  Economics forces adaptations of needs

Key Concepts:

• Causation 
• Connection
• Form 

Related Concepts: 

• Resources
• Economics
• Adaptation 

Lines of Inquiry:

• Goods and services around the world
• Needs and wants vary around the world
• Economics determine goods and services

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

Central Idea:  Geography affects humans

Key Concepts: 

• Connection
• Perspective
• Form

Related Concepts: 

• Geography
• Landscape
• Adaptation

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Exploring geography
• Exploring continents
• Homes for animals and people

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: Symbols represent history and culture

Key Concepts: 

• Connection
• Function
• Change

Related Concepts: 

• History
• Culture

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Importance of symbols to a culture
• People/events that inspire symbols
• History related to symbols

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.

Central Idea: Changes in water impact the environment

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Causation
• Form

Related Concepts:

• Atmosphere
• Climate
• Season

Lines of Inquiry:

• States of matter
• Weather
• Wind, water, temperature
• Effects of matter and weather

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: Living things grow and adapt

Key Concepts: 

• Connection 
• Chance
• Form 

Related Concepts: 

• Adaptation
• Growth
• Cycles 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• All living things are interconnected
• Parts of living things have a purpose
• Life cycles of living things

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: Roles and responsibilities drive decision making 

Key Concepts: 

• Connection
• Form
• Responsibility 

Related Concepts: 

• Roles 
• Responsibilities 
• Cooperation

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Types of government 
• Responsibilities of state and national leaders
• Societal norms (voting, responsibilities of citizens)

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.

Central Idea:  Economics and geography influence communities

Key Concepts:

• Perspective
• Connection 

Related Concepts: 

• Economy
• Relationships 

Lines of inquiry:

• Local economy
• Global economy
• Cultural effect of economy

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

Central Idea:  People create communities over time

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Connection 
• Change
• Form 

Related Concepts: 

• Movement
• Settling
• Adapting

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Migration of humans
• Adaptation to land
• Development of communities

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: Manage feelings and emotions through awareness

Key Concepts: 

Responsibility
Change 
Perspective

Related Concepts: 

• Self understanding
• Empathy 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Understand emotions
• Exploring strategies to manage emotions
• Recognize emotions of others 

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.

Central Idea: Energy waves are sensed by our body

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Causation
• Function 

Related Concepts:

• Anatomy 
• Wave frequencies communication
• Systems

Lines of Inquiry:

• Light waves
• Sound waves
• Functions of eyes and ears

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: Citizens are affected by governmental decision-making

Key Concepts: 

• Responsibility
• Change
• Function

Related Concepts: 

• Citizenship
• Governments
• Interdependence 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Benefits of laws
• Function of governmental organizations
• Citizenship responsibilities

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: Plants and animals adapt to create relationships 

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Change
• Connection 

Related Concepts: 

• Sequence 
• Relationships
• Adaptations 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Food chains/webs
• Components of ecosystems around the world 
• Adaptations by plants/animals to survive

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.

Central Idea:  Experiences  shape who we are

Key Concepts:

• Perspective
• Connection
• Causation 

Related Concepts: 

• Health
• Family
• Responsibility 

Lines of Inquiry:

• Taking care of our bodies
• Exploring a balanced lifestyle
• Children are unique

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

Central Idea:  Civilizations encourage the advancement of cultures

Key Concepts: 

• Function 
• Change
• Connection

Related Concepts: 

• History
• Interdependence
• Civilizations 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Contributions of cultural and ethnic groups
• Change and continuity over time
• Organization and innovation of primitive cultures

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: Writing encourages expression

Key Concepts: 

• Perspective
• Connection
• Form 

Related Concepts: 

• Audience 
• Structure
• Form 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Craft of writing
• Ways to use organizers to enhance the writing process
• Role of the audience

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.

Central Idea: Earth experiences physical changes over time

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Causation
• Connection

Related Concepts:

• Erosion
• Weathering
• Deposition
• Physical changes

Lines of Inquiry:

• Formation of landforms
• Elemental forces
• Fossils inform us about the past

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: Factors affect the development of a country

Key Concepts: 

• Connection
• Responsibility
• Perspective

Related Concepts: 

• Geography
• Compromise 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Exploring geography and natural resources 
• Effects of compromising
• Forming a country/state

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: Electricity and magnetism relationships

Key Concepts: 

• Function 
• Causation
• Connection 

Related Concepts: 

• Properties
• Energy 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Electricity and magnets have distinct properties
• Evidence of energy
• Impact of electromagnetic forces

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.

Central Idea:  Culture impacts human and civil rights

Key Concepts:

• Change
• Responsibility
• Perspective 

Related Concepts: 

• Culture
• Human/civil rights
• Local vs global

Lines of Inquiry:

• Individual rights vary according to time and place
• Individual responsibility to others
• Tolerance of differences

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

Central Idea:  Desire for freedom can cause conflict

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Function
• Perspective 

Related Concepts: 

• Freedom
• Political dependence
• Conflict 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Causes/effects of civil/revolutionary wars
• Key stakeholder perspectives and turning points of revolutions
• Comparison of political conflicts around the world

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: Writing assists self-expression

Key Concepts: 

• Function
• Connection
• Perspective 

Related Concepts: 

• Interpretation
• Expression
• Genres of writing

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Writing effects change
• Writing to organize information and learning
• Expressing creativity and reflection

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.

Central Idea: Everything is made up of something

Key Concepts:

• Function
• Connection
• Change 

Related Concepts:

• Matter
• Change
• Motion

Lines of Inquiry:

• Impact of components of matter (atoms, elements)
• Interconnections and changes of matter (solids, liquids, reactions, changes, products)
• Motion results in an impact

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: Structure and function create community for human kind

Key Concepts: 

• Function
• Responsibility
• Connection

Related Concepts: 

• Cooperation
• Economy
• Equality 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Economy balances society
• Working together makes a society function
• Equality in communities helps societies grow

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: Decisions lead to innovation

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Connection
• Perspective

Related Concepts: 

• Servitude
• Reconstruction

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Social and cultural impacts on reconstruction
• Reintegrating into society
• Affecting lives of future generations

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.

Central Idea:  Understanding and caring for the body system

Key Concepts:

• Causation
• Function
• Connection 

Related Concepts: 

• Human body systems
• Organisms
• Cells 

Lines of Inquiry:

• Body systems and how they work 
• Maintaining healthy body systems
• Social influences on health

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

Central Idea:  Ancient Civilizations influenced society and contributed to modern culture

Key Concepts: 

• Causation
• Change
• Connection 

Related Concepts: 

• Systems
• Civilizations
• Migration 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Factors influencing development of civilizations
• Geography impacts life
• Contributions of ancient cultures

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: Communication allows us to express our needs, ideas, emotions and allows for self expression

Key Concepts: 

• Perspective
• Form
• Change 

Related Concepts: 

• Types of writing

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Explore types of writing
• Expressing yourself to be understood (including speaking listening)
• Writing for a purpose

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.

Central Idea: Complex systems interact on Earth and in space

Key Concepts:

• Form
• Connection
• Change 

Related Concepts:

• Solar system
• Space
• Interaction

Lines of Inquiry:

• Energy and matter on earth
• Relationships between celestial objects
• Knowledge of space and exploration changes

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: Economies create interdependence among its members

Key Concepts: 

• Form
• Responsibility
• Connection  

Related Concepts: 

• Financial literacy
• Market systems 
• Economy

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Developing an understanding of financial literacy -individual, business and government economic factors influence decision making
• Developing an understanding of microeconomics (individual, family)

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. 

2023 Exhibition

Central Idea: Caring for the planet and its inhabitants by exploring opportunities and developing relationships to create a more just, secure and healthy planet in which all thrive

Key Concepts: 

• All are used 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Students wrote their own line of inquiry related to their research.