Integration of Specialists & World Languages
Using Compass Model C & S Community & Service Action
Age/Grade / An inquiry into
Who we are
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human. / An inquiry into
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 and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives. / An inquiry into
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. / An inquiry into
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 / An inquiry into
How we organize ourselves
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
How we share 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 between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution
Gr. 5 / Transitions
Key Concepts: Form, Change, Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Growth,
Reproduction, Adolescence
Central Idea:
Humans experience physical, emotional and social changes throughout their lives.
Lines of inquiry:
· Puberty and the physical changes that take place
· Transitioning from Elementary to Secondary school
· Feelings, issues and questions we have in relation to changes taking place
Specialist integration with:
· PE / Humans Migration
Key Concepts: Change, Causation, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Migration, Culture
Central Idea:
Human migration is a response to challenges and opportunities.
Lines of inquiry:
· My family’s migration story
· The reasons why people migrate
· The effects of migration on communities, cultures and individuals.
Specialist integration with:
· Chinese
· German / The Power of Persuasion
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective, Reflection
Related Concept/s: Opinion, Choice
Central Idea:
We use different techniques to persuade and influence others.
Lines of inquiry:
· Types of media
· Persuasive techniques in media
· How we are influenced by media
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
· Danish
· French
· Art
· Music / Electricity
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Transformation
Central Idea:
We generate, transform and use energy in various ways.
Lines of inquiry:
· Sources of energy (renewable/non renewable)
· Where electricity comes from (protons, electrons etc.)
· How we use electricity (transformation and circuitry systems)
Using Compass Model / The Marketplace
Key Concepts: Function, Connection, Causation
Related Concept/s: Supply & Demand, Marketplace
Central Idea:
Marketplaces depend on the ability to produce goods and supply services that can be exchanged.
Lines of inquiry:
· Determining the value of goods and services
· The role of supply and demand in the marketplace
· The development of money and banks / Exhibition
Central Idea:
Human actions or inactions affect people, the environment and the world.
Related Concept/s: Action, Impact
Lines of inquiry:
· (Students will inquire into areas of their interest)
C & S Community & Service Action
Gr. 4 / Beliefs
Key Concepts: Connection, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Diversity, Beliefs
Central Idea:
Beliefs and values influence the way that people live.
Lines of inquiry:
· The beliefs and values of our families
· Different belief systems
· Similarities and differences among belief systems
C & S Community & Service Action / Inventions
Key Concepts: Form, Change, Causation
Related Concept/s: Chronology, Innovation
Central Idea:
Human inventions and discoveries are a response to needs, and are developed over time.
Lines of inquiry:
· Inventions in our everyday lives
· How inventions have changed
· Why inventions have changed over time
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
· Chinese
· Music
· German / Visual Arts
Key Concepts: Connection, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Interpretation, Self-Expression
Central Idea:
The visual arts provide us with the opportunity to reflect on, and enjoy creativity.
Lines of inquiry:
· The art that we connect with and appreciate
· How art elements are used
· Our ability to use our skills to express ourselves artistically
Specialist integration with:
· Danish
· French
· Art / Matter
Key Concepts: Change, Causation
Related Concept/s: Transformation
Central Idea:
Matter exists in different forms and can undergo changes.
Lines of inquiry:
· States of matter and their properties
· How and why matter changes / Government Systems
Key Concepts: Function, Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Citizenship, roles
Central Idea:
Government systems impact people’s lives.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different types of government
· Rules and laws
· The impact of rules and laws on citizens
Specialist integration with:
· PE / Ecosystems
Key Concepts: Connection, Causation
Related Concept/s: Sustainability, Interdependence
Central Idea:
Ecosystems are made up of living things which are interdependent on one another.
Lines of inquiry:
· Features of ecosystems
· Food chains
· Effect of natural and human influences on ecosystems
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
Using Compass Model
Gr. 3 / Body Systems
Key Concepts: Function, Connection
Related Concept/s: Systems, Interaction
Central Idea:
The human body has interconnected systems that assist it to function properly.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different body systems and how they assist the body
· How various systems work together
· What happens when a system doesn’t function
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
· Chinese
· PE / Heroes
Key Concepts: Responsibility, Connection
Related Concept/s: Innovation, Revolution
Central Idea:
People and societies influence and inspire change in different ways.
Lines of Inquiry:
· Past and present heroes
· Attributes of heroes
· Everyday heroes and ways they can inspire or influence us
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy / Performing Arts
Key Concepts: Connection, Form
Related Concept/s: Self-Expression, Genre
Central Idea:
The performing allow people to entertain, move and educate audience audiences.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different types of performing arts
· The purpose of a performance and how an audience can interpret it
· How different cultures use performance
Specialist integration with:
· French
· Music / Our Earth
Key Concepts: Causation, Change
Related Concept/s: Movement, Geology
Central Idea:
The Earth’s components are interrelated and are continually changing.
Lines of inquiry:
· Natural features of the Earth
· Earth’s components
· What causes changes in the Earth
C & S Community & Service Action / Cities
Key Concepts: Function, Connection
Related Concept/s: Systems, Interdependence
Central Idea:
Cities are organized to meet the needs of their inhabitants.
Lines of inquiry:
· Characteristics of a city
· What people need and want in a city
· Infrastructures to meet needs
· How cities are organized
Specialist integration with:
· Art
· German
Using Compass Model / Earth Friendly Living
Key Concepts: Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Resources
Central Idea:
Our daily actions can help sustain and maintain the earth’s resources.
Lines of inquiry:
· Earth’s resources
· How resources are used by ourselves and others
· How humans impact the environment (in positive and negative ways)
Gr. 2 / Healthy Choices
Key Concepts: Reflection, Function
Related Concept/s: Nutrition, Balance
Central Idea:
Choices play a role in our well-being and health.
Lines of inquiry:
· The components of a healthy lifestyle
· How healthy/unhealthy lifestyle choices affect our bodies
· Reflective choice making
Specialist integration with:
· Chinese
· PE / China Then & Now
Key Concepts: Form, Change,
Related Concept/s: Culture, Chronology
Central Idea:
Characteristics of civilizations can endure or change over time.
Lines of inquiry:
· Characteristics of Ancient China
· Ways that our locality (Tianjin) has changed/remained the same
· Why some ideas endure and others change
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy / Culture through Stories
Key Concepts: Connection, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Values/Beliefs, Culture
Central Idea:
Stories retold and shared can reflect beliefs and values of different cultures.
Lines of inquiry:
· The purpose, features and messages of traditional tales
· Different, myths and legends and stories from around the world
Specialist integration with:
· Danish
· Chinese
· German
· Music / Earth, Sun & Moon
Key Concepts: Form, Function
Related Concept/s: Cycles, Movement, Time
Central Idea:
The relationship between the sun, the moon and the earth affect how we live on our planet.
Lines of inquiry:
· The characteristics of the Earth, Sun and Moon and their place in the solar system
· How the Moon, Sun and Earth impact the way we live
· How the Earth, Sun and Moon cycles create patterns of time / Changing Things
Key Concepts: Change,
Related Concept/s: Needs & Wants (Consumption), Production
Central Idea:
People process resources in order to satisfy needs and wants.
Lines of inquiry:
· Natural resources & materials
· The process of change that resources go through
· Why humans change resources and how they use them / Endangered Animals
Key Concepts: Causation, Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Conservation, Habitat
Central Idea:
Human actions can preserve or endanger animal life.
Lines of inquiry:
· How animals survive
· Animal Habitats
· Our responsibilities towards keeping animals from extinction
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
· Art
Using Compass Model
C & S Community & Service Action
Gr.1 / The Human Body
Key Concepts: Form, Function
Related Concept/s: interaction, Classification
Central Idea:
Our bodies are made up of different parts, which work together to keep us alive.
Lines of inquiry:
· The various parts in the body and how they work
· How the parts of the body work together
· People who help us to look after our bodies
Specialist integration with:
· PE / My Family History
Key Concepts: Connection
Related Concept/s: Identity, History
Central Idea:
Every family is unique and has a history of its own.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different family groups
· Significant events that are important to a family
· How our personal histories are the same and different
Specialist integration with:
· Chinese / Stories
Key Concepts: Perspective
Related Concept/s: Communication, Performance
Central Idea:
People tell stories for different reasons and in different ways.
Lines of inquiry:
· What a story is
· Why people tell stories
· Different ways that stories are presented
Specialist integration with:
· Music
· Danish
· French
· German / Forces
Key Concepts: Form, Causation
Related Concept/s: Cause & Effect, Forces
Central Idea:
Forces help us to move and make things work.
Lines of inquiry:
· What forces are (push & pull)
· What forces do
· The different ways that forces make things move
Specialist integration with:
· PE
· Art / Our School Community
Key Concepts: Responsibility, Connection
Related Concept/s: Roles, Classification
Central Idea:
Everyone has a role in the school community.
Lines of inquiry:
· The jobs/roles people have in our school community
· The different areas of the school
· The importance of everyone’s job in the school community / Mini-Beasts
Key Concepts: Function, Responsibility
Related Concepts: Classification, Habitat, Interactions
Central Idea:
Mini-beasts perform functions in our environment and are connected other living things.
Lines of inquiry:
· Identifying mini-beasts and where they live
· The different functions of mini-beasts
· The connection between minibeasts and other living things
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
Using Compass Model
C & S Community & Service Action
Gr. KG / The Senses
Key Concepts: Form, Function
Related Concept/s: Perception, Discovery
Central Idea:
Our senses help us to learn bout our environment and ourselves.
Lines of inquiry:
· What the senses are
· How we use our senses to learn
· What we can discover about ourselves through our senses
Specialist integration with:
· Danish
· French
· Art
· Music
· PE / Where we Live
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective,
Related Concept/s: Place, Relocation
Central Idea:
People live in different places and in different ways.
Lines of inquiry:
· Places that people live
· Why people live differently
· Where and how I live / Celebrations
Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Traditions, Customs
Central Idea:
People celebrate personal and cultural events in many ways.
Lines of inquiry:
· What people celebrate
· Similarities and differences of celebrations
Specialist integration with:
· Danish
· French
· Chinese
· German
C & S Community & Service Action / Animal Characteristics
Key Concepts: Form, Function
Related Concept/s: Adaptation, Classification
Central Idea:
Animals have characteristics that help them to adapt to their environment.
Lines of inquiry:
· Characteristics of animals
· Animal habitats and environments
· How an animals; characteristics help them to live in their environment / Transportation Systems
Key Concepts: Function, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Community, Systems
Central Idea:
Transportation systems are organized to meet the needs of a community.
Lines of inquiry:
· Types of transportation systems
· How communities use transportation systems
· Why people choose one transport system over another / Caring for Our Oceans
Key Concepts: Reflection, Responsibility
Related Concepts/: Environment, Choices
Central Idea:
Humans can affect the life and resources of the ocean.
Lines of inquiry:
· What and how do we use the ocean resources
· The affect humans can have on the ocean life and its resources
· Our responsibility when using the ocean
Specialist integration with:
· Information Literacy
Using Compass Model
Gr. Pre-K / Friendships
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Perspective
Related Concept/s: Behavior, Communication
Central Idea:
Friendships are developed through our choices and behaviors.
Lines of inquiry:
· How friendships can be developed through actions and words
· What friends do for each other
· Ways we can appreciate and maintain friendships
Specialist integration with:
· PE
· Library
· World Languages / Early Years only complete Four Units of Inquiry / Emotions
Key Concepts: Perspective, Reflection
Related Concept/s: Interpretation, Relationships
Central Idea:
There are different ways to express, respond and react to feelings.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different types of emotions & experiences which relate to these
· Ways in which stories, drama and music can show and share emotions
Specialist integration with:
· Music
· Library
· World Languages / Materials
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Causation
Related Concept/s: Properties, Classification
Central Idea:
Materials have different properties that determine their use.
Lines of inquiry:
· Different kinds of materials and their properties
· How materials are used and why
· How different materials can change
Specialist integration with:
· Library / Early Years only complete Four Units of Inquiry / Plants
Key Concepts: Form, Responsibility, Causation
Related Concept/s: Growth
Central Idea:
Plants have specific needs in order to grow and stay healthy.
Lines of inquiry:
· Our responsibilities towards the plants we choose to grow
· Characteristics of plants
· What plants need to grow
Specialist integration with:
· Library
Using Compass Model
C & S Community & Service Action
Gr.
Nursery / Special Individuals
Key Concepts: Form, Reflection
Related Concept/s: Identity, Relationships
Central Idea:
We are ever-changing individuals with unique characteristics.
Lines of inquiry:
· Ways in which we are similar and different (families, nationality, appearance)
· Ways in which we are changing
Specialist integration with:
· Library / Early Years only complete Four Units of Inquiry / The Artist
Key Concepts: Perspective, Connection, Reflective
Related Concept/s: Choices, Imagination
Central Idea:
We can use art to share our ideas and explore our imagination.
Lines of Inquiry:
· How we use art to represent our ideas and feelings
· The process that we use to create art
· Sharing and reflecting on our art and other art
· The responses that art can evoke
Specialist integration with:
· Music
· Library / Construction
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Causation
Related Concepts: Properties, Behavior, Consequences
Central Idea:
Purpose, imagination and our understanding of scientific principles influence how we design and construct.
Lines of inquiry:
· Ways we construct
· Principles that affect construction
· How our imagination influences our construction
Specialist integration with:
· Library / Early Years only complete Four Units of Inquiry / Living Things
Key Concepts: Form, Responsibility
Related Concept/s: Classification, growth/health
Central Idea:
People can share responsibilities and roles for the well-being of other living things.
Lines of inquiry:
· Characteristics of living things
· The needs of pets and animals
· Our responsibility for the well-being of other living things
Specialist integration with:
· Library
Using Compass Model
C & S Community & Service Action
Updated August, 2015 Page 1 of 3