PROGRAMME OVERVIEW – 2012/2013 Grade Four 1. 20 Aug – 21 Sept
2. 24 Sep – 9 Nov
4. 7 Jan – 22 Feb
3. 12 Nov – 20 Dec
6. 22 Apr – 31 May
5. 25 Feb – 19 Apr
Who We Are 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
Where We Are in Place and Time An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives
How We Express Ourselves 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
How the World Works 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
How We Organize Ourselves An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organisations; societal decision making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment
Sharing the Planet An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities
Understanding different ways of learning enables people to respond to their own learning needs • Function • Connection • Reflection
Major events and periods in time have changed the world
The media is all-pervasive with the power to inform and influence society and individuals • Function • Perspective
Understanding and applying force and motion enables work to be completed more efficiently • Function • Causation • Connection
People and organizations can prepare for and respond to disasters in a variety of ways
RELATED CONCEPTS
• Learning • Intelligence
• History • Impact
• Influence • Power
• Learning and thinking styles • How we determine our learning needs • How to be a better learner
• Major events and periods in time • Changes resulting from significant events in history • Recent events and possible future impacts
• Persuasive tools and techniques used in the media • Perspective and bias in the media • How people are influenced by the media
Efficiency Work Force Forces and motion How force and motion affect us and other matter • How applying our understanding of force and motion can increase efficiency
• Organisation • Collaboration
LINES OF INQUIRY
• • • • •
• • • •
• • • • •
• Social Studies • Languages
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• What’s a disaster? • Who’s responsible? • What’s appropriate preparation/response? • Preparation and an appropriate response can reduce the impact of a disaster
• Why should we care?
• The role of people and organisations involved in relief operations • Different disasters that have occurred/may occur • Subject specific vocabulary
• Interdependence of organisms within particular ecosystems • Examples of situations where humans have been responsible for environmental issues
Transdisciplinary
THEME
CENTRAL IDEA
KEY CONCEPTS
• Form • Causation • Change
DISCIPLINE FOCUS
• PSPE • Languages
• Social Studies • Languages
TEACHER QUESTIONS/ PROVOCATION ENDURING
• What makes a ‘good’ learner? • Who is smart?
• Why does the world change?
Although we might have learning strengths, we can develop in other ways.
• Major events often initiate significant change
• We need to critically evaluate what we learn through the media
• Multiple intelligences • Learning and thinking styles • Subject specific vocabulary
• Major events and periods in time • Changes resulting from major events and periods in time • Subject specific vocabulary
• Media types, tools, techniques • Subject specific vocabulary
UNDERSTANDINGS
KNOWLEDGE
Social Studies Languages The Arts How powerful is the media?
Science Mathematics Languages Why is it so? Prove it (using the scientific method) • What is work?
• Forces and types of motion and how they work • Subject specific vocabulary
• Causation • Connection
• The effect of disasters • How preparation for disasters can minimize the impact • Local and international responses to disasters
Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems • Connection • Causation • Responsibility • • • • •
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Balance Biodiversity Interdependence Interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and biomes How human interaction with the environment can affect the balance of systems The consequences of imbalance within ecosystems Science Social Studies
• Human actions have an impact on the environment