Alvin Dunn Elementary Program of Inquiry-June 18, 2013
Age
Preschool/Transition
Kindergarten
4-5
An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and
time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into
How we organize
ourselves
An inquiry into
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature
of 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
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
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
Taking responsibility for
my actions benefits myself
and others.
Key Concepts:
Function, responsibility
Related concepts-TBD
Lines of inquiry
Taking responsibility
for actions

Following routines

Caring for myself and
others
Central Idea
Where we live influences
who we become.
Key Concepts:
Causation, reflection
Related concepts-TBD
Lines of inquiry
Local environment

Influence of family’s
location

Influence of location on
people from other lands
Central Idea
By asking questions, we
express our desire to learn
about the world around us.
Key Concepts:
Form, perspective
Related concepts-TBD
Lines of inquiry
Forming questions

Finding answers

Sharing ideas around
the world
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
Through observation we
can make scientific
predictions.
Key Concepts:
Change, connection
Related concepts-TBD
Lines of inquiry
Observation process

Making predictions

Scientific discoveries
Alvin Dunn Elementary Program of Inquiry-June 18, 2013
Kindergarten
5-6
Central idea
Citizenship involves acting
in a certain ways.
Key concepts:
responsibility, reflection,
causation
Related concepts:
cooperation, friendship
Lines of inquiry

Following rules

Decision Making

Problem solving

Consequences of
actions
Central idea
Life has changed over time.
Key concepts:
change, connection,
reflection
Related concepts: history,
culture, values
Lines of inquiry

Changes in daily life
over time

Making connections
between long ago and
today

Pride in where we live
Central idea
Through our knowledge of
the five senses, we are able to
use sensory language to
express ourselves.
Key concepts: form,
perspective, reflection
Related Concepts: opinion,
interpretation
Lines of inquiry

Exploring the five
senses

Connecting five senses
with sensory language

Using sensory language
to express thoughts
Central idea
Many factors affect Earth’s
land, air, and water
Key concepts: change,
causation connection,
Related concepts: cycles,
patterns,
Lines of inquiry

Changes in land, air,
and water

Using Earth’s
resources

Conservation
Central idea
People have a variety of
different roles and
responsibilities within a
community
Key concepts: function,
connection, responsibility
Related concepts:
communities, roles,
cooperation, structures
Lines of inquiry

Nature of various
communities

Roles within
communities

Organization of
communities

Responsibilities
within community
Central idea
Living things can be
classified as plants or
animals based on what they
need to survive.
Key concepts: form,
function, connection
Related concepts: needs,
relationships
Lines of inquiry

Classifying process

Survival needs of
plants

Survival needs of
animals

Relationship between
survival needs
First Grade
6-7
Central idea
The choices people make
affect their health and wellbeing.
Key concepts: causation,
reflection, responsibility
Related concepts: growth,
balance, choice
Lines of inquiry

Similarities and
differences between
ourselves and others

Balanced lifestyle

Making choices
Central idea
Understanding our personal
histories helps us to value
other cultures.
Key concepts: connection,
change, perspective
Related concepts: diversity,
artifacts, tradition,
Lines of inquiry

Personal histories

Diversity of customs &
traditions

Meaning of
celebrations

Valuing other cultures
Central idea
Through the arts, people can
express their feelings and
opinions.
Key concepts: form,
connection, perspective
Related concepts: patterns,
subjectivity, interpretation
Lines of inquiry

Varying the artistic
technique

Interpreting art

Determining patterns

Comparing/contrasting
masterpieces
Central idea
Societies make decisions
that reflect pride in their
community based on what
they value.
Key concepts: connection ,
perspective, reflection
Related concepts:
communication, identity,
freedom, justice
Lines of inquiry

Societal decision
making

Values within a
society

Significance of
symbols and holidays
Central idea
In order to resolve
conflicts, people need to be
willing to appreciate other
perspectives. Key
concepts: change,
perspective, responsibility
Related concepts:
communication, conflict,
cooperation, justice
Lines of inquiry

Causes of conflict

Understanding other
perspectives

Strategies to resolve
conflict
An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and
time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
Central idea
Objects can be seen and
hard because of properties
of light and sound,
Key concepts: form,
function causation
Related concepts: wave
properties, forms of
energy, vision & hearing
Lines of inquiry

Connection between
light and vision

Redirecting light

Connection between
sound saves and
haring

Sending sound or
light signal over long
distance
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into
How we organize
ourselves
An inquiry into
Sharing the planet
Age
Alvin Dunn Elementary Program of Inquiry-June 18, 2013
Second Grade
7-8
Central idea
The relationships within
our family help us to
understand who we are.
Key concepts: connection,
reflection, perspective
Related concepts: history,
family, communication,
traditions, artifacts
Lines of inquiry

Diversity of families

Relationships among
family members

Influence of family
on who we become
Central idea
Many geographical factors
assist in determining
journeys.
Key concepts: form,
function, connection
Related concepts:
geography, exploration,
locality
Lines of inquiry

Variations in geography

Map features

Location and setting
Central idea
People use stories to express
aspects of their world views.
Key concepts: perspective,
connection
Related concepts:
communication, diversity,
culture, belief s
Lines of inquiry

Fables & folk tales
from diverse cultures

Moral of story

Exploring individual's
character & actions
Central idea
The properties of different
materials influence how
people use them.
Key concepts: form,
function, change
Related concepts:
structure, properties,
change of state
Lines of inquiry

Properties of
materials

Changing states of
matter

Natural resources
Central idea
The process of consuming
and producing depends on
many systems working
together within the
community.
Key concepts: causation,
connection, responsibility
Related concepts:
employment, production,
consumption
Lines of inquiry

Producing goods

Consuming products

Systems working
together

Responsibilities of
consumers
Central idea
The environment
influences the life cycle of
living things.
Key concepts: form,
function, change
Related concepts: growth,
heredity, environmental
stress
Lines of inquiry

Structures of the life
cycle

Understanding
similarities and
differences of life
cycles

Importance of
environment on the
life cycle
Third Grade
8-9
Central idea
Rules and laws help
determine people's rights
and responsibilities as
citizens. Key concepts:
function, causation,
responsibility
Related
Concepts: citizenship,
rights, roles,
Lines of
inquiry

Role of government

Individual rights and
responsibilities

Purpose of rules and
laws
Central idea
Throughout history, the
migration of people has
influenced civilizations.
Key concepts: form,
perspective, change
Related concepts:
identity, civilization, culture,
migration
Lines of inquiry

Interactions of settlers
with the indigenous
people

Reasons for migration

Establishing
communities

Change over time
Central idea
People convey their unique
feelings through creative
expression.
Key concepts: perspective,
connection, reflection
Related concepts:
subjectivity, opinion,
interpretation, expression,
voice
Lines of inquiry

Author's voice in
literature

Perspective in literary
works

Using author's voice in
writing
Central idea
The universe is made up of
predictable patterns that
help us understand our
environment.
Key concepts: form,
function, reflection
Related concepts:
evidence, systems
(weather, number)
Lines of inquiry

Patterns within
weather

Patterns in
mathematics

Applying knowledge
of patterns
Central idea
Economic choices are made
based on the individual’s
evaluation of both the
benefits and costs.
Key concepts: connection,
reflection, responsibility
Related concepts:
economy. distribution,
behavior
Lines of inquiry

Economic choices

Evaluating costs and
benefits of
consumption

Relationship between
work and human
capital
Central idea
Living things adapt in
order to survive
Key concepts: form,
change, connection
Related concepts:
adaptation, geography,
systems Lines of inquiry

Types of adaptation

Survival

Ecosystems
An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and
time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into
How we organize
ourselves
An inquiry into
Sharing the planet
Age
Alvin Dunn Elementary Program of Inquiry-June 18, 2013
Fourth Grade
9-10
Central idea
Reflecting on our
experiences helps us
understand our values and
beliefs.
Key
concepts: function,
causation, perspective
Related concepts: religion,
tradition, conflict,
civilizations
Lines of inquiry

Belief systems of
various civilizations

Causes and effects of
differing belief
systems

Exploring personal
values and beliefs
Central idea
Regions on Earth are
distinguished by geographic
features.
Key concepts: form,
function, change
Related concepts:
geography, settlement,
resources, continuity,
adaptations
Lines of inquiry

Differences/similarities
between various
regions

Adapting to for region

Factors affecting
physical characteristics
of each region
Central idea
Creative expression can
shape and define mindset
within a culture.
Key concepts: reflection,
connection, perspective
Related concepts: identity,
opinion, diversity
Lines of inquiry:

Impact of historical
events on artistic and
cultural development

Comparing past and
present cultures

Influence of author’s
voice
Central idea
Natural and unnatural
processes shape and
reshape the earth's surfaces
Key concepts:
form, change, causation
Related concepts:
erosion, plate tectonics,
weathering, geology
Lines of inquiry

Formation of rocks
and minerals

Practical uses of
rocks and minerals

Natural and unnatural
processes affecting
landforms
Fifth Grade
10-11
Central idea
Systems work together to
benefit humans
Key concepts: form,
function, connection
Related concepts:
classification, organisms,
systems, structure, biology
Lines of inquiry

Interdependent
relationships of
systems and human
beings

Organization for
matter and energy
flow within humans

Benefits of energy
produced by humans
Central idea
Through exploration, new
discoveries are made.
Key concepts: causation,
change, reflection
Related concepts: conflict,
discovery, exploration,
civilizations
Lines of inquiry

Entrepreneurial
characteristics of
explorers

Aims and obstacles of
exploration

Benefits of exploration
for the future
Central idea
People's actions and reactions
are a means of expressing
their perceptions about
change.
Key Concepts: causation,
change, perspective,
Related concepts:
communication, history,
revolution
Lines of inquiry

Self expression

Reacting to change

Consequences of
change
Central idea
Humans use their
understanding of scientific
principles to obtain and
communicate information
about the stars and the
solar system.
Key concepts: form,
connection causation
Related concepts:
properties, pattern,
interdependence, gravity,
solar system
Lines of inquiry

Use of technology to
explore space

Gravitational forces,

Position of stars and
objects in solar
system
Central idea
Creating an organized
system of government
enables societies to make
shared decisions.
Key concepts: connection,
responsibility, reflection
Related concepts: systems,
roles, government,
legislation Lines of
inquiry:

Structure of
government

Function of
government

Powers of
government

Shared decision
making within
government
Central idea
Economic incentives affect
the physical and political
geography of a land.
Key concepts: causation,
change, responsibility
Related concepts: conflict,
discovery, wealth,
geography
Lines of inquiry

Relationship between
migration and
economic incentives

Effects of migration

Taking responsibility
for decisions
Central idea
Conflicts can occur
because some resources on
the planet are renewable
over time, others are not.
Key concepts: form,
causation, responsibility
Related concepts:
conservation, renewable
and nonrenewable energy
sources, resources
Lines of inquiry

Differences between
renewable and nonrenewable energy

Conservations of
energy and energy
transfer

Renewable energy
sources
Central idea
The behavior of water
affects life.
Key concepts: change,
connection, responsibility
Related concepts:
systems, resources,
sustainability
Lines
of inquiry

Changes in water
forms

Relationship between
water and weather
systems

Conservation of
water
Alvin Dunn Elementary Program of Inquiry-June 18, 2013
Sixth Grade
11-12
Central idea
People experience change
as they grow and mature.
Key concepts: reflection,
change, responsibility
Related concepts:
behavior, growth,
transformation
Lines of inquiry

Healthy life style

Maturity

Decision making
Central idea
The quest for new
opportunities influences
where we live.
Key concepts: change,
causation, reflection
Related concepts:
structure, interpretation,
impact
Lines of inquiry

Incentives for change

Life’s journeys

Dealing with detours
Central idea
Acts of courage are
expressed in many ways.
Key concepts: form,
connection, perspective
Related concepts:
similarities, differences,
relationships, subjectivity
Lines of inquiry

Perceptions of courage

Portrayal of heroes

Cultural bias
Central idea
Society’s ability to explain
the world around them is
influenced by their
perspectives.
Key concepts: form,
connection, perspective
Related concepts:
properties, relationships,
beliefs
Lines of inquiry

Religious belief
systems

Mythology

Scientific theory
Central idea
Social networking enables
us to connect with a variety
of people and organizations
Key concepts: function,
connection, perspective
Related concepts:
systems, networks, opinion
Lines of inquiry

Networking

Opinion leaders

Influential
organizations
Central idea
The environment
influences the choices that
people make.
Key concepts: causation,
responsibility, reflection
Related concepts:
consequences, initiative,
evidence
Lines of inquiry

Pollution

Informed choices

Making a difference