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UNITS of Inquiry
As part of the process of preparing for each year, the
staff meet to examine the IB organising themes and SACSA Curriculum
Framework in order to identify units of crucial study for all year levels.
They consider what body of knowledge is significant and what skills and
attitudes are important across year levels. In collaboration with each
other (and increasingly, with other IB colleagues), teachers select units
that the boys investigate in a structured way based on inquiry.
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Units of inquiry taught in IB schools need to be
designed so that they are internationally pertinent as well as locally
significant.
In Year 5, for example we will be inquiring into the
management of waterways not only in South Australia but also on the
other side of the world. |
Similarly, in Year 6 in this term we investigated Australian endangered
species and also species threatened in Africa, Europe, Asia and in the
Americas.
The Year 4s are looking at catastrophic weather, the Year 7s are
examining the reasons for migration and the Year 3s are inquiring into the
nature of homes and just where Adelaide is in relation to the rest of the
world. (Because we are still establishing Reception and will introduce
Year 1 and Year 2 in 2006/7, those years are in the process of developing
their units.)
WHAT IS THE “CENTRAL IDEA” OF A PYP UNIT OF INQUIRY?
“What’s a ‘Central Idea’?”, I hear you ask.
Some context is required. You will recall that at each year level there
are six Organising Themes and that each theme is explored through
specially selected globally significant Units of Inquiry – examples
include catastrophic weather, the nature of employment, the purpose of
art, reasons for migrating, managing our waterways, etc. So that your sons
have a focus for their inquiry, each unit has a Central Idea that is
expressed in one or two sentences. In simple terms, this “Central Idea” is
something that is worth knowing, makes your sons think deeply and can be
related to around the world.
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In Year 5 for example, the theme ‘How We Organise Ourselves’ is
explored through the unit on ‘Discerning Consumers’. The Central Idea
for this unit is “Our judgement is constantly challenged by the
media”. This idea is further broken down into areas of inquiry such
as: the promotion of goods and services; the impact of advertising;
the rights and responsibilities of consumers, marketeers and media.
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Once a unit and its Central Idea have been introduced,
opportunities for students to ask questions, find out answers and
communicate what has been learned are then provided by our specially
trained teachers and supporting staff. How and what is assessed will be
the focus of a future article.
Here are some more examples of Units of Inquiry and their Central Ideas:
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WHERE WE ARE IN TIME AND PLACE
(Year 3)Title:
Where do you live?
[Home and Location]
Subject Focus:
Society & Environment, Science, Technology, Drama
Central Idea:
We all occupy a place in the world and have our own traditions.
An Inquiry Into:
The location of hemispheres,
oceans, regions countries.
Our home (States of Australia, cities)
Continental comparisons (eg. Americas, Africa, Asia)
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HOW WE SHARE THE PLANET
(Year 6)
Title:
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
[Endangered Species]
Subject Focus:
Science, Society & Environment
Central Idea:
Once a species is extinct it can never be brought back again.
An Inquiry Into:
Extinct animals
Endangered animals
Our responsibility and roles we can play
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