College Gardens Elementary School Third Grade

How we organize ourselves A Primary Years Programme Unit of Inquiry

Transdisciplinary Theme: 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.

Learner Profile

Central Idea People collaborate to make a system work.

• Roles and responsibilities of citizens in a community

• Different systems that we use to organize information

• Engineering design process as a system to solve problems

Lines of Inquiry

Transdisciplinary Skills

Thinking: - Acquisition of knowledge - Analysis

Social: - Cooperating

Research: - Observing

Communication: - Non-verbal

Self-management: - Informed choices

Key Concepts

Function: How does it work? Causation: Why is it like it is? Responsibility: What is our responsibility?

Attitudes

Cooperation Creativity Respect

Reflective We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

Principled We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Books for Reflective

• Elsina’s Clouds by Jeanette Winter

• The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben

Books for Principled

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

• The Empty Pot by Demi

Action

What can you do with your new learning? Be sure to share action with your class!

2

College Gardens Elementary School

Applying phonics and word analysis skills supports reading fluency and comprehension. - How does decoding irregularly spelled and multisyllabic words support reading fluency?

Using the strategies and structures of literary and informational text facilitates comprehension. - How does asking and answering questions in literary and informational text deepen understanding of the text?

Collaborative discussions build understanding of text. - What skills and processes are used in effective collaboration?

Reading

Different purposes for writing require different skills. - What techniques can be used to convey ideas and information clearly? - How can we organize informational writing?

Intentional use of language conveys meaning effectively. - How do Standard English conventions help to make communication clear? - How does editing and revising improve my skills as a writer?

Writing

Math Flexible methods of computation involve grouping, composing, and decomposing numbers in a variety of ways. • What are efficient strategies for adding and subtracting numbers? • What strategies can be used to solve for unknowns? Number patterns and relationships can be represented in multiple ways. • How does understanding place value help in rounding numbers? • How are properties of operations represented on addition and multiplication tables?

Following rules and collaborating with others helps to build a safe movement environment. - How are roles and responsibilities important for success during team challenges? - How are different systems used to organize movement or games? - How does engineering or the angle of the shot contribute to the outcome?

Physical Education

Musical symbols can be interpreted to read music and perform a song. - What is the purpose of a meter signature? - How are pitch and rhythm indicated on a musical staff?

Meter is conveyed through a specific set of conducting movements to create ensemble. - What movements show conducting in a meter of 2? - What is the job of the conductor in a musical group?

Music

Observation, memory, feelings, and imagination inspire artwork that communicates personal connections, values, beliefs, meanings, and ideas.

- How do artists represent what they see, feel, know, and imagine? Aesthetic standards are developed and used to critique artwork.

- What criteria can be used to critique artwork? - How can opinions about artwork be expressed?

Art

Media

Utilizing systems is an important part in meeting our informational needs. - How does understanding the Dewey Decimal System help us with inquiry? - How does learning to use the library catalog Destiny allow us to independently locate resources?