Grades K-5
Kindergarden
Our Kindergartners learn through the lens of four thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we organize ourselves
Central Idea: Communities work together when members follow rules and routines.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how doctors are an important part of our community?
Summative assessment: Students cut and paste images they identify as belonging to their community member of interest to a poster that they present to class while in costume.
Key Concepts: Responsibility, Connection, Reflection
Subject Focus: Reading, Writing, Social Studies
Learner Profile Traits: Caring, Principled
ATL Skills: Recording Data (Research Skill), Listening (Communication Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Who we are
Central Idea: Learning about ourselves helps us appreciate diversity.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how I am the same and different than others?
Summative assessment: Students create an All About Me book that is assessed with a rubric.
Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Perspective
Subject Focus: Writing, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Learner Profile Traits: Balanced, Inquirer, Open-Minded
ATL Skills: Listening (Communication Skill), Metacognition (Thinking Skill), Respecting Others (Social Skill).
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: People can respect the earth to preserve habitats.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: How does recycling help protect the marine habitat?
Summative assessment: Scholars will cut out images and glue onto poster that explains the problem of pollution in their habitat, how it affects wildlife and the environment, and on reverse side the solution to this problem.
Key Concepts: Causation, Connection, Reflection
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing, Mathematics
Learner Profile Traits: Thinker, Knowledgeable, Inquirer
ATL Skills: Informed Choices (Self-Management Skill), Safety (Self-Management Skill), Presenting (Communication
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Poetry helps us connect with our own family values.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: How can I communicate my family values in poetry?
Summative assessment: Scholars will write a poem about their family values that will be graded with rubric.
Key Concepts: Connection, Perspective, Form
Subject Focus: Writing, Reading, Social Studies
Learner Profile Traits: Thinker, Knowledgeable, Inquirer
ATL Skills: Reading (Communication Skill), Writing (Communication Skill), Speaking (Communication Skill).
First Grade
Our first graders learn through the lens of six thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Family plays an essential role in our beliefs and values.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder what family life is like in the Bahamas?
Summative assessment: Students create mini book about the family life, beliefs, and values of the country of their interest.
Key Concepts: Change, Perspective, Form, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Open-Minded, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Viewing (Communication Skill), Writing (Communication Skill), Acquisition of Knowledge (Thinking Skill).
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: Exploring and sharing family histories enhances intergenerational connections and leads to the development of international mindedness.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how I am similar and different from my ancestors?
Summative assessment: Students create a family tree that shows connections to ancestors and family members then reflect about similarities and differences.
Key Concepts: Change, Causation, Form, Perspective
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Communicator, Thinker, Inquirer, Open-Minded
ATL Skills: Writing (Communication Skill), Acquisition of Knowledge (Thinking Skill).
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: Who we are
Central Idea: People have different ways of meeting their basic needs within a community.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how a firefighter’s needs and wants are similar and different from my family’s needs and wants?
Summative assessment: Scholars write a paragraph comparing the needs and wants of a community helper of their choice with their own needs and wants.
Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Perspective
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Caring, Inquirer, Open-minded
ATL Skills: Formulating Questions (Research Skill), Fine Motor (Self-Management Skill), Analysis (Thinking Skill), Writing (Communication Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: How the world works
Central Idea: Humans can identify weather patterns in different locations and plan accordingly.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder why the temperatures change with the seasons?
Summative assessment: Scholars will create an info-graphic poster that shows their data from their observations over a month, a bar graph, conclusions in complete sentences and images they drew and researched to cut and paste.
Key Concepts: Causation, Perspective, Connection
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing, Math
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Thinker, Inquirer
ATL Skills: Observing (Research Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill), Synthesis (Thinking Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Five: How we organize ourselves
Central Idea: Sound and light interact with objects in ways that often serve humans.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how electricity helps keep people connected? OR I wonder how music helps keep people connected?
Summative assessment: TBD (Scholars may create a video detailing their learning).
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Causation
Subject Focus: Science, Music, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Communicator, Thinker, Inquirer
ATL Skills: TBD
Inquiry Unit Theme Six: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: Plants and animals have structures and behaviors that help them grow and survive.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Function, Responsibility, Reflection
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Risk-Taker, Caring
ATL Skills: TBD
Second Grade
Our second graders learn through the lens of six thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Stories inspire us and help us understand the world around us.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how Helen Keller’s life story is similar to a moment in my own life?
Summative assessment: Students create a summary of a biography of a person of their choice. Scholars then write a personal narrative based on a small moment in their own life that they thought connected to the biography they read.
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective, Reflection
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Communicator, Reflective, Risk- Takers
ATL Skills: Reading (Communication Skill), Comprehension (Thinking Skill), Analysis (Thinking Skill), Writing (Communication Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: Simple machines have been useful then and now.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how pulleys work then and now?
Summative assessment: Students answer questions about the simple machine of their choice in writing, create a 3D model, and present to the class.
Key Concepts: Change, Function, Connection
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Inquirer, Thinker, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Formulating Questions (Research Skill), Comprehension (Thinking Skill), Writing (Communication Skill), Fine Motor (Self-Management Skill), Time Management (Self-Management Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: How the world works
Central Idea: There are different forms of matter that we interact with.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how liquid matter changes to solid matter?
Summative assessment: Scholars write a paragraph that explains what happens when physical matter changes states and then they explain with a poster what they observed in the example that they did at home.
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Causation
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Communicator, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Planning (Research Skill), Observing (Research Skill), Recording Data (Research Skill), Interpreting Data (Research Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: Who We Are
Central Idea: We are given rights but are also required to follow rules and fulfill responsibilities.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Responsibility, Causation, Reflection
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Principled, Reflective, Caring, Balanced
ATL Skills: TBD
Inquiry Unit Theme Five: How we organize ourselves
Central Idea: Communities develop differently depending on their location.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective, Connection
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Math, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Thinkers, Communicators, Balanced
ATL Skills: TBD
Inquiry Unit Theme Six: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: Habitats need protection for plants and animals to thrive.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Connection, Change, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Caring, Thinker, Principled
ATL Skills: TBD
Third Grade
Our third graders learn through the lens of six thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Using our imagination can give us perspective to another culture’s values and expressions.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder about the cultural values and expressions in China?
Summative assessment: Scholars write a narrative essay and create a drawing that is set in a foreign country of their choice. They are tasked with embedding the country’s cultural values and expressions into the essay.
Key Concepts: Perspective, Form, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Open-minded, Inquirers, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Writing (Communication Skill), Comprehension (Thinking Skill), Synthesis (Thinking Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: Climate and geography influence life in distant places.
Sample Guided Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how humans interact with the climate, geography and bodies of water in Australia?
Summative assessment: Scholars answer questions in writing about the climate region of their choice and create a climate map with a key that details climate zones, geographical features, bodies of water, and how humans interact with the geography.
Key Concepts: Causation, Perspective, Form
Subject Focus: Science, Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Thinker
ATL Skills: Collecting Data (Research Skills), Fine Motor (Self-Management Skills), Evaluation (Thinking)
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: Who we are
Central Idea: Physical traits are inherited and influential.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how mutated genes make cancer?
Summative assessment: Scholars will write a 3-4 paragraph informative essay that answers their inquiry.
Key Concepts: Reflection, Perspective, Causation
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Reflective, Principled, Balanced
ATL Skills: Reading (Communication Skill), Formulating Questions (Research Skill), Collecting Data (Research Skill), Writing (Communication Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: How the world works
Central Idea: Humans adapt to an environment of ever changing technology.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Change
Subject Focus: Math, Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Inquirer, Thinker, Reflective
ATL Skills: Analysis (Thinking Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Five: How the organize ourselves
Central Idea: Certain communities choose definite systems of measurement.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Function, Causation, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Math, Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Thinker, Reflective, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: TBD.
Inquiry Unit Theme Six: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: Activists have fought for human access to equal opportunities.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Form, Connection, Causation
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Principled, Communicator, Risk-Taker
ATL Skills: TBD
Fourth Grade
Our fourth graders learn through the lens of six thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: Understanding diverse creative expression may create open- mindedness.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how lacrosse was a form of expression for the Haudenosaunee people?
Summative assessment: Scholars write an informational essay and create a project based on a choice board that includes options like poster, 3D model, and skit. Scholars present their projects to the class.
Key Concepts: Form, Reflection, Perspective
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Open-Minded, Inquirers, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Acquisition of Knowledge (Thinking Skill), Comprehension (Thinking Skill), Analysis (Thinking Skill), Respecting Others (Social Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill), Collecting Data (Research Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Where we are in
place and time
Central Idea: Cause and effect relationships influence human migrations.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder about the causes and effects of the great migration?
Summative assessment: Scholars write a narrative essay from the perspective of migrant person.
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective, Causation
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Drama
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Thinker, Open-Minded
ATL Skills: Writing (Communication Skill), Cooperation (Social Skill), Analysis (Thinking Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: How the world works
Central Idea: Humans design solutions to the world’s engineering problems.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how I can design a solution to the problems caused by tsunamis?
Summative assessment: Scholars write an informational essay describing their action plan, materials and design for their solution to the problem caused by a natural disaster of their choice. Students then choose a creative option from a choice board such as a 3D model or advertisement for their product to be presented to the class.
Key Concepts: Causation, Form
Subject Focus: Science, Math, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Open-Minded, Communicator, Reflective
ATL Skills: Synthesis (Thinking Skill), Resolving Conflict (Social Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill), Planning (Research Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: Who we are
Central Idea: Human bodies are made up of systems.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how the muscular system functions and keeps the human body healthy?
Summative assessment: Scholars create a ten page powerpoint that requires them to research how the human body system of their choice functions. After completion of the body system powerpoint, scholars are instructed to trace, label, and illustrate a life-size diagram of the human body sytem of their choice.
Key Concepts: Form, Function
Subject Focus: Science, Health, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Inquirer, Knowledgeable
ATL Skills: Reading, Writing, Cooperating, Presenting.
Inquiry Unit Theme Five: How we organize ourselves
Central Idea: People organize themselves and trade because of geographic and economic factors.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how the natural resources of the New England region impact their economy?
Summative assessment: Scholars will create a presentation explaining how the natural resources and geography of any region in the world, of their interest, impacts that region’s economy and culture. Scholars will present to class. After presentations, scholars will take a written exam in which they must label each region presented, on a map, and list at least one natural resource from that region.
Key Concepts: Connection, Causation, Form
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Math, Reading, Writing, Art
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Caring, Reflective
ATL Skills: Collecting Data, Interpreting Data, Presenting Research Findings.
Inquiry Unit Theme Six: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: Humans share and reuse finite resources.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Change, Reflection, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Principled, Inquirer, Caring
ATL Skills: TBD
Fifth Grade
Our fifth graders learn through the lens of six thematic inquiry units throughout their school year.
Inquiry Unit Theme One: How we express ourselves
Central Idea: The remnants of Ancient Civilizations give insight to the foundation of expression today.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how the ancient Maya uses sports as a form of expression?
Summative assessment: Scholars write a cited research paper essay and create a project based on a choice board that includes options like poster, 3D model, power point, ancient cook book, and skit. Scholars present their projects to the class.
Key Concepts: Change, Causation, Connection
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Dance, Visual Arts
Learner Profile Traits: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Communicators
ATL Skills: Listening (Communication Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill), Accepting Responsibility (Social Skill), Cooperating (Social Skill), Collecting Data (Research Skill), Organizing Data (Research Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Two: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: People are influenced by the cross culture relationships formed by exploration and exploitation.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how the Columbian Exchange can be seen as overall good for the world?
Summative assessment: Scholars write an evidence based argumentative essay about a debatable explorer or related event in history.
Key Concepts: Change, Causation, Perspective
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Debate
Learner Profile Traits: Risk-taker, Open-minded, Caring
ATL Skills: Writing (Communication Skill), Dialectical Thought (Thinking Skill) Analysis (Thinking Skill), Collecting Data (Research Skill), Interpreting Data (Research Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Three: How the world works
Central Idea: Alternate approaches to energy can address the needs of the world’s growing population.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how wind energy is a better form of energy than fossil fuels?
Summative assessment: Scholars write an informational or argumentative essay describing their form of energy and its advantages and disadvantages. Scholars then choose a creative option from a choice board such as a 3D model or poster to be presented to the class.
Key Concepts: Connection, Function, Causation
Subject Focus: Science, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Communicator
ATL Skills: Synthesis (Thinking Skill), Resolving Conflict (Social Skill), Presenting (Communication Skill), Cooperation (Social Skill)
Inquiry Unit Theme Four: Who we are
Central Idea: People have advocated for our rights and responsibilities.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how Sojourner Truth advocated for womens' and african americans' rights?
Summative assessment: Scholars will write and perform a monologue that captures the heart of the message of an activist of their choice.
Key Concepts: Change, Function, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Drama
Learner Profile Traits: Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Communicator
ATL Skills: Collecting Data, Codes of Behavior, Cooperating, Synthesis
Inquiry Unit Theme Five: How we organize ourselves
Central Idea: Entrepreneurs must research and plan in order to have success with earning money from investors.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: I wonder how I can create a business model that will attract investors?
Summative assessment: Scholars will create a viable business model and advertisement to persuade a board of 4 sharks (deans).
Key Concepts: Connection, Causation, Form
Subject Focus: Math, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Thinker, Knowledgeable, Risk Taker
ATL Skills: Research, Presenting, Writing, Organizing Data, Analysis
Inquiry Unit Theme Six: Sharing the planet
Central Idea: Finding peaceful solutions to conflict leads to a better quality of human life.
Sample Inquiry question asked by scholar: TBD
Summative assessment: TBD
Key Concepts: Causation, Perspective, Responsibility
Subject Focus: Social Studies, Reading, Writing
Learner Profile Traits: Thinker, Open-Minded, Caring
ATL Skills: TBD