4-5

1) First Quarter

Central idea:

We use our bodies to explore the world.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Function

Lines of inquiry:

·   The five senses

·   Body parts

·   Healthy habits

2) Second Quarter and Year-long Unit

Central idea:

We can make our own stories or enjoy stories from other people.

Key Concepts:

Form, Reflection

Lines of Inquiry:

·   The different genres of literature (Nursery rhymes, fairy tales, fables, etc.)

·   Retelling and acting out stories

·   Exploring classic children’s books

·   Stories and celebrations from various cultures

3) Third Quarter

Central idea:

People use different types of transportation to move from one place to another.

Key Concepts:

Function, Causation, Reflection

Lines of Inquiry:

·   Different types of transportation

·   Modes of transportation used on land, in the air, and in water

·   The need for transportation

4) Fourth Quarter

Central idea:

Plants and animals in the rainforest have specific needs in order to grow and stay healthy.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Connection, Responsibility

Lines of Inquiry:

·   The conditions plants and animals need to stay healthy

·   Our responsibilities towards the plants we choose to grow

·   How humans use and share resources from the rain forest

Pre-K

5-6

1)Aug. 27-Oct. 5

Central Idea:

I am unique.

Key Concepts:

Reflection, Perspective

Lines of inquiry:

·   Fair play and friendship

·   Feelings and ways of expressing them

·   Rules for safety and fairness

·   Comparing the similarities and differences of living things

2)Oct. 8-Nov. 20

Central Idea:

Over time things change.

Key Concepts:

Change, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Ways schools and communities have changed over time.

·   Daily and seasonal weather changes

·   Life events that bring change (a new sibling, moving to a new house, a new job, a new school, etc.)

6)May 1-June 11

Central Idea:

Various animals are important in different cultures.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Reflection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Elements of culture

·   How different cultures view animals

·   Different types of the same animal

4)Jan. 14-Mar. 15

Central Idea:

Weather affects our lives.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Change, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Observing and comparing weather

·   Seasonal changes and weather patterns

·   The Earth’s relationship to the sun

·   Effects of weather on how people live, work, dress, and play

3)Nov. 26-Jan. 11

Central idea:

Maps and globes help people describe the Earth by providing a visual model.

Key Concepts:

Form, Function

Lines of inquiry:

·    Uses of maps and globes and their representations of land and water features

·    Terms used to describe locations, positions, and motion

·    Distinguishing land forms by their physical features

5)Mar. 18-April 30

Central Idea:

Resources are used to meet basic needs for survival

Key Concepts:

Form, Connection, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Living and nonliving things

·   Ways people meet their basic needs and wants

·   Environmental resources people use (clay, wood, etc.)

·   Physical properties of different materials and surfaces, which determine how each is used

Kindergarten

6-7

1) Aug. 27-Sep. 28

Central Idea:

Individuals play important roles in the community.

Key Concepts:

Function, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   The importance of rules to a society

·   Roles of authority figures in the community

·   Resolving conflicts in homes, schools, classrooms, and communities

4) Feb. 4-Mar. 8

Central Idea:

There are events that impact the geography of neighborhoods and communities over time.

Key Concepts:

Function, Causation

Lines of inquiry:

·   Characteristics of various landforms and bodies of water

·   Tools and symbols used to describe geographic locations

·   Events that change communities and neighborhoods over time

3) Dec. 10-Feb. 1

Central Idea:

Traditions help to unify a people

Key Concepts:

Form, Perspective, Change

Lines of inquiry:

·   Languages, traditions and holidays of various cultures

·   Patterns of the Earth, moon, and sun system

·   Importance of folklore and celebrations and their impact on local communities

6) May 6-June 10

Central Idea:

Forces happen when objects interact.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Change Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Forces that are seen and unseen

·   Reasons the motion of an object can change

·   Relationships of size, weight, and shape of objects on forces, including balanced forces

5) Apr. 8-May 3

Central Idea:

People make decisions about how to earn and use money.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Connection, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Ways people earn and use money

·   Examples of goods and services in the home, school, and community

·   Choices families and communities make based on supply and demand

2) Oct. 1-Dec. 7 andMar.11-Mar. 27

Central Idea:

Living organisms survive in a variety of environments.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Needs of a variety of animals and plants for energy and growth

·   Characteristics of various environments that meetthe needs of different animals and plants

·   Properties of soil and other Earth materials

·   Behaviors of humans that impact animal and plant survival

First Grade

7-8

1) Aug. 27-Oct. 12

Central Idea:

Understanding citizenship and responsibility leads to conflict resolution.

Key Concepts:

Responsibility, Perspective

Lines of inquiry:

·   Roles and responsibilities of citizens (in a democratic society)

·   Purpose of governments (services and order/security)

·   Conflict resolution

5) Mar. 11-May 3

Central Idea:

Various sources provide information and record our history.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Reflection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Genres used to find out information about historical figures

·   Sources that provide information about the past

·   Interpreting maps and the meanings of symbols on maps

6) May 6-June 10

Central Idea:

Artistic expressions reflect the culture and history of communities.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Function

Lines of inquiry:

·   Various artistic expressions of diverse cultures in our community

·   Sound production and vibrating objects

·   Historical figures and events that have shaped cultural traditions

4) Jan. 28-Mar. 8

Central Idea:

Humans strive to understand and measure the changing Earth.

Key Concepts:

Function, Causation, Change

Lines of inquiry:

·   Patterns of weather and factors that affect weather

·   Recording weather patterns daily and over time

·   Patterns of change in the properties of solids and liquids

·   Measuring changes in properties of solids and liquids

3) Dec. 3-Jan. 25

Central Idea:

Economics affects a community in many ways.

Key Concepts:

Responsibility, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Businesses in the community and how they meet the needs and wants of consumers in a market economy.

·   Roles of producers and consumers and their impact on supply and demand

·   Reasons people and countries around the world trade for goods and services.

·   Uses of Money and the role of financial institutions relative to savings.

2) Oct. 15-Nov. 30

Central Idea:

Living things have a predictable life cycle and play an important role on our planet.

Key Concepts:

Change, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Insect life cycles and how they compare to other living things

·   Characteristics of organisms that differ from or are similar to their parents

·   Effects of humans interacting with their environment

Second Grade

8-9

1) Aug. 27-Oct. 12

Central Idea:

Systems work together for the protection of people.

Key Concepts:

Function, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Human body systems (protection, movement, and support)

·   Local government development, structure, and function.

·   How people contribute to the well-being of systems.

5) Mar. 11-May 3

Central Idea:

Reading about history from multiple sources can help us understand changes over time.

Key Concepts:

Change, Perspective

Lines of inquiry:

·   The influence of local historical figures, events, and ideas

·   Perspectives portrayed in a variety of historical narratives and other historical sources

·   Historical thinking skills used to develop an understanding of what happened in the past

6) May 6-June 10

Central Idea:

The performing arts enable us to express our ideas, feelings, beliefs, values, and cultures.

Key Concepts:

Function, Reflection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Language, foods and traditions of various local groups

·   How authors/artists express themselves through their work

·   Elements of various cultures in non-fiction texts

4 ) Jan. 28-Mar. 8

Central Idea:

Objects in the sky have patterns of movement and can be observed from Earth.

Key Concepts:

Form, Causation

Lines of inquiry:

·   Components that make up our solar system

·   Patterns of the Sun and stars

·   Shadows on the Earth

3) Dec. 3-Jan. 25

Central Idea:

Humans live according to their circumstances.

Key Concepts:

Form, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Geographical locations and Earth’s surfaces that influence the way people live

·   Natural resources that influence supply and demand in communities

·   Entrepreneurs and reasons why businesses are located in certain regions

2) Oct. 15-Nov. 30

Central Idea:

Plants survive in various environments all over the Earth.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Factors that impact survival of plants (structure, environmental conditions, life cycle, soil)

·   Understanding the Earth’s patterns using the 5 themes of geography

·   How people adapt to, change and protect the environment to meet their needs.

Third Grade

9-10

6) May 6-June 10

Central idea:

Financially responsible citizens make educated decisions, which impact economic development.

Key Concepts:

Function, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Basic concepts of a market economy

·   North Carolinaindustries and entrepreneurs (historical and contemporary)

·   The impact of scarcity and choice in business decisions and personal decisions

·   Benefits and consequences in daily financial decisions

3) Dec. 3-Jan. 25

Central Idea:

Learning about government helps us to become better citizens.

Key Concepts:

Change, Perspective, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   Local, State, and National Government Structures

·   Rights and responsibilities in the North Carolina Constitution

·   Changes inNorth Carolina’s culture, communities, and indigenous American Indian groups over time

1) Aug. 27-Oct. 12

Central Idea:

Understanding different cultures, customs, and history will build a sense of pride and acceptance of self and others.

Key Concepts:

Form, Connection, Reflection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Influence of different ethnic groups on culture, customs, and history.

·   Artistic expressions and cultural heritage ofNorth Carolina.

·   Notable structures, symbols, and names of places

5) Mar. 11-May 3

Central idea:

Matter undergoes changes that are recorded in the Earth.

Key Concepts:

Function, Causation

Lines of inquiry:

·   Mineral identification by physical properties of matter

·   Processes that create rocks and their classifications

·   Uses of fossils to record the changes of the earth

4) Jan. 28-Mar. 8

Central Idea:

Energy takes various forms and affects motion of objects in our universe.

Key Concepts:

Causation, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Causes of day and night and the phases of the moon

·   Basic forms of energy

·   Various forces that affect motion of objects

2) Oct. 15-Nov. 30

Central Idea:

Animal and human existences rely on one another.

Key Concepts:

Responsibility, Causation, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Benefits of vitamins, minerals, and exercise for humans

·   Effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors

·   Changes in environmental and technological factors over time

Fourth Grade

10-11

3) Dec. 3-Jan.25

Central Idea:

Past civilizations have shaped the modern world.

Key Concepts:

Function, Reflection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Aspects of past civilizations that have survived

·   Connections between past discoveries and modern day advances

·   Rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic republic

5) Mar. 11-May 3

Central Idea:

Researching our past leads us into the future.

Key Concepts:

Perspective, Change

Lines of inquiry:

·   Chronology of exploration, colonial life, and major conflicts in the development of theUnited States.

·   Prominent figures that shaped theUnited states

·   The changing roles of women and minorities over time.

1) Aug. 27-Oct. 12

Central Idea:

Various factors influence culture and how we express ourselves.

Key Concepts:

Change, Connection

Lines of inquiry:

·   Characteristics and traditions that are inherited or passed along

·   Migration, settlement, and interactions of various groups

·   Changing traditions, cultures, and environments

2) Oct. 15-Nov. 30

Central Idea:

Weather and climate affect the world that we live in.

Key Concepts:

Connection, Causation

Lines of inquiry:

·   Daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions

·   The use of various instruments to gather weather data

·   Factors that help us predict upcoming weather events

·   Changes in the global atmosphere that affect local weather

6) May 6-June 10

Central Idea:

Societies employ economic systems.

Key Concepts:

Form, Causation, Responsibility

Lines of inquiry:

·   The history of international trade between theUnited Statesand other countries

·   The interconnected parts of an economic system

·   Benefits or consequences of spending, borrowing, and saving

4) Jan. 28-Mar. 8

*Exhibition for 2012-13*

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.

Central Idea:TBD

Key Concepts:TBD

Lines of inquiry:TBD

Fifth Grade