STP Unit Overview

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HONG KONG

UNIT OF INQUIRY

WWW.CDNIS.EDU.HK

Grade 4

TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL CITIZENS THROUGH ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The purpose of this unit is to develop an understanding of the theme:

Sharing the Planet 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 Key Concepts: between them; access to Connection - What is the connection between organisms within equal opportunities; peace ecosystems? What is the connection between the Central Idea and conflict resolution.

Central Idea:

Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems (By the end of the unit students need to be able to prove this with solid evidence)

Teacher Questions: What does it mean to "share" the planet?

Why should we care?

and the Transdisciplinary Theme?

Causation - What causes ecosystems to break down?

Responsibility - What is my personal responsibility? What is the responsibility of others?

Related Concepts: Balance, Biodiversity, Interdependence An inquiry into:

Interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and biomes How human interaction with the environment can affect biodiversity The consequences of imbalance within ecosystems

Enduring Understanding: Human actions have an impact on the environment

Unit Vocabulary: biodiversity, biome, rely, balance, ecosystems

Attributes

interdependence,

Are we...

Caring for the environment appropriately?

organism, maintain, systems, connection, causation, actions,

Principled in how we interact with the environment?

impact, environment,

Attitudes Do we..

Knowledge: ✤Interdependence of

What can happen when foreign species are introduced to a biome?

Respect the many organisms we interact with?

organisms within Show Appreciation for particular ecosystems nature? ✤Examples of situations where humans have been What can you do at home to help? responsible for major •Read different texts related to the Central Idea (books, magazines, environmental issues newspapers, videos, TV shows, ...)

Remember: It is important that students independently investigate issues that interest them!

•Discuss why it is important that ecosystems maintain balance •Review the vocabulary for the unit on a regular basis •Inform us if you see your child INITIATING any positive action related to the unit •Encourage your child to find and then take photographs of things in the environment that: - they appreciate - they see as a threat to the interdependence of ecosystems - show what measures have been taken to preserve the environment

FACT, NOT FICTION! Taking Action!!

★Japanese timber imports are responsible for much of the world’s tropical deforestation ★Much of Australia’s range and cropland has turned to desert.

90% of the coral reefs in the Philippines are threatened!

Indonesia’s coral reefs are negatively affected by tourism.

-investigating issues that affect biodiversity in Hong Kong -making personal choices based on how the interconnectedness of organisms will be affected -asking questions and seeking solutions