Brown International Programme of Inquiry 2014-2015

Age An inquiry into:

Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
4-5
Central idea
Human characteristics and emotions
create a sense of self and make
individuals unique.
Key concepts: form, change,
perspective

Related concepts: identity, diversity
Lines of inquiry
Physical characteristics of people
Feelings and emotions
Personal change over time
The five senses


Transdisciplinary Skills: Research
Skills, Social Skills

The Learner Profile: Caring, Open-
Minded



Central idea
Music is a form of communication
through which ideas are expressed and
learned.
Key concepts: form, function,
connection
Related concepts: rhythm, lyrics,
unison, instrumentation, communication
Lines of inquiry

Different types of music (form)
Learning through songs
(function)
Rhythm and rhyme
(connection)


Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication and Thinking

The Learner Profile: Communicator,
Open-Minded, Reflective

Central idea
Humans used their knowledge of natural
forces to create games using balls.
Key concepts: form, function,
causation
Related concepts:, forces
Lines of inquiry
What are balls made of and how
does it affects how we use balls
(form, function)
Forces that affect how a ball
moves (causation)
How balls are used around the world
(function)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Self-
Management and Thinking

The Learner Profile: Inquirer,
Knowledgeable


Central idea
The trash we produce and what we do
with it impacts our environment.
Key concepts: function, connection,
responsibility
Related concepts:
Lines of inquiry
What happens to trash after we throw
it away
How trash impacts the environment
Our responsibility to reduce, reuse,
and recycle trash

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking and
Self Management

The Learner Profile: Caring,
Principled, Thinker
5-6
Central idea
Families provide the foundation through
which relationships and identities
develop.
Key concepts: change, responsibility,
perspective
Related concepts: identity,
relationships, diversity
Lines of inquiry
Make-up of various families
(perspective)
Roles and responsibilities in a
family (responsibility)
Changes in a family (change)
Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking and
Communication

The Learner Profile: Caring and
Communicator

Central idea
Education connects humans to one
another and provides diverse
opportunities and varied perspectives.
Key concepts: form, perspective
Related concepts: education, choice,
inquiry
Lines of inquiry
Different educational models
How schools are similar and
different
What it means to be a Primary
Years Programme student

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking
and Social

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Risk-taker

Central idea
Where we come from and where we live
influences who we are and the
development of our culture.
Key concepts: function, causation,
perspective
Related concepts: diversity, home,
culture
Lines of inquiry
Our personal culture
How people live in different settings
around the world
Economic needs as a reflection of
our culture

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking and
Research

The Learner Profile: Open-minded
and Communicator

Central idea
There are patterns in the natural world
and there are many ways to classify
organisms.
Key concepts: form, change, reflection
Related concepts: organisms, solar
energy, patterns, characteristics
Lines of inquiry
Patterns of growth (form)
Identification of observable
characteristics (change)
Effect of heat and light on living
things (reflection)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Reflective


Central idea
Shared norms establish an orderly
environment in which we learn, work
and play.
Key concepts: function, responsibility
Related concepts: organization,
systems, repetition
Lines of inquiry
Rituals and routines
Responsibilities to our
classrooms, school, and
community
Goal setting and decision-
making using democratic
traditions.

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking
and Self-Management

The Learner Profile: Principled and
Thinker

Central idea
Learning how to promote peace
facilitates appropriate social interactions
and helps us cope with change and
adversity.
Key concepts: connection, reflection
Related concepts: conflict resolution,
belonging, interactions
Lines of inquiry
The purpose of peace (function)
Appropriate social interactions
(connection)
How do we resolve conflict
(reflection)
Transdisciplinary Skills: Research,
Social and Thinking

The Learner Profile: Principled and
Balanced


Age An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
6-7
Central idea
Societies rely on people with many
different abilities to function properly.
Key concepts: form, connection,
responsibility
Related concepts: employment, roles,
identity
Lines of inquiry
Why communities need different
kinds of jobs
Specialized skills and tools required
for certain professions
How various jobs are connected


Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking,
Communication and Self-Management
Skills

The Learner Profile: Open-Minded and
Knowledgeable

Central idea
Exploring and sharing family histories
enhances intergenerational
connections and leads to the
development of international-
mindedness.
Key concepts: connection, reflection,
perspective,
Related concepts: ancestry, history,
geography, chronology
Lines of inquiry
Family origin and roots
(perspective)
Keepsakes and customs passed
on through generations (reflection)

Children have characteristics that
are similar and different from their
parents. (connection)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking,
Communication and Self-Management
Skills

The Learner Profile: Reflective and
Knowledgeable

Central idea
Celebrations reflect culture and
traditions.
Key concepts: causation, perspective
and connection
Related concepts: diversity, culture,
traditions
Lines of inquiry
Representations of culture
Honoring culture through
celebrations
Cultural Symbols & their
significance

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social
communication

The Learner Profile: Open Minded
and Risk-taker


Central idea
Humans use natural resources in their
daily lives in a variety of ways.
Key concepts: form, change,
responsibility
Related concepts: natural resources,
reusing, reducing, recycling, properties
Lines of inquiry
Types of natural resources
How humans use natural resources
The impact of reducing, reusing and
recycling

Transdisciplinary Skills: Research
and Social

The Learner Profile: Knowledgeable
and Principled

Central idea
Human made systems create a method
for understanding where we are in
relation to the rest of the world.
Key concepts: function, connection,
perspective
Related concepts: geography,
regions, borders
Lines of inquiry
Our place in relation to the rest of
the world
Purpose of a map
Identifying and using map features
and the users perspective

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking,
Research and Communication Skills

The Learner Profile: Thinker and
Inquirer

Central idea
Water is an essential element of life and
it is humans responsibility to manage
and conserve it.
Key concepts: function, responsibility
perspective
Related concepts: conservation,
consumption, systems
Lines of inquiry
The water cycle
How water is shared around the
world
Water management, including
systems of management,
technologies and conservation

Transdisciplinary Skills: Research,
Self-Management and Social

The Learner Profile: Caring and
Balanced

Age An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
7-8 Central idea
People around the world share their
cultural beliefs and ideals through
stories.
Key concepts: form, connection,
perspective
Related concepts: traditions, beliefs
Lines of inquiry
Methods of storytelling
How stories are communicated in
the 21
st
century
How beliefs and values are taught
in different cultures through story-
telling

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Thinking, Self-
Management and Social Skills

The Learner Profile: Knowledgeable
and Communicator



Central idea
People prepare for and handle
different weather phenomena
depending upon where they live and
time of year.
Key concepts: form, change,
responsibility
Related concepts: seasons, cause
and effect, extreme weather

Lines of inquiry

Weather can be categorized into
seasonal patterns.
Meteorologists use specific tools
to predict and classify weather.
Severe weather impacts humans
around the world (cause-->effect)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Research
and Thinking Skills

The Learner Profile: Principled and
Risktaker
Central idea
Leaders advocate and express their
beliefs and values in a variety of ways to
take action.
Key concepts: form, change,
responsibility
Related concepts: community,
leadership, advocacy
Lines of inquiry

Characteristics of leaders
How leaders influence change in
their culture and community
How responsible community
members advocate and take
action for their ideas

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication

The Learner Profile: Principled and
Risk-taker



Central idea
Scientific inquiry of force and motion
has aided in the evolution of simple
machines and affects presentday life.
Key concepts: causation, function
connection
Related concepts: force, motion
Lines of inquiry
Understanding force and motion

How simple machines make our
lives easier

The process of scientific inquiry

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking and
Research

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Thinker
Central idea
Communities are designed to provide
an organizational structure and to
serve the needs of the people that live
there.
Key concepts: function, connection,
reflection
Related concepts: organization,
planning, community, resources
Lines of inquiry
The organization of a community
How people in the community
make choices about and
manage resources
How the character of a community
changes over time

Transdisciplinary Skills: Thinking
and Research Skills

The Learner Profile: Open-Minded
and Thinker


Central idea
Organisms and the nonliving
components within a habitat function
interdependently.

Key concepts: function, causation,
responsibility
Related concepts: interaction, cycle,
change
Lines of inquiry
Non-living components of habitats
What organisms need to survive
Interaction between living and
nonliving components
Increasing understanding to protect
habitats

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social, Self-
Management and Research Skills

The Learner Profile: Balanced,
Reflective and Caring



Age An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
8-9

Central idea
Characteristics of heroes in various
cultures throughout history help define
individual beliefs.
Key concepts: form, perspective,
reflection
Related concepts: history, values,
diversity, activism
Lines of inquiry
Characteristics of a hero vs. being
famous
Past and present heroes from
various cultures
How heroes reflect beliefs
How the concept of democracy
instills respect for human rights

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Thinking and Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Open-Minded
Principled and Reflective


Central idea
Ancient civilizations contribute to
modern day societies and
technologies.
Key concepts: change, connection,
reflection
Related concepts: civilization,
geography, human need,
developments
Lines of inquiry:
Time period, location, and
similarities of ancient
civilizations around the world
How inventions reflect the needs
of people (past and present)

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication and Thinking Skills

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Knowledgeable

Central idea
Expression of ideas, priorities,
emotions, and images are
communicated through various forms of
the written word.
Key concepts: form, function,
perspective
Related concepts: expression,
communication, interpretation
Lines of inquiry
Forms of the written word
Poetry as an expression
Individual interpretation of the
poets expression

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Social and Self-
Management

The Learner Profile: Risk-Taker and
Communicator

Central idea
Earths materials can be broken down
and combined for different uses.
Key concepts: form, connection,
change
Related concepts: geology, erosion,
matter, changes of state
Lines of inquiry
The structure of the earth (form)
Ways Earths materials can be
broken down, including the rock
cycle (connection)
Changes in earth materials make
them usable for human activity
(change)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Research,
Self-management and Social

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Thinker

Central idea
Economic systems empower people to
manage and organize themselves
through the exchange of goods and
services.
Key concepts: function, causation,
connection
Related concepts: want vs. need,
resources, exchange, economy
Lines of inquiry
History of money, including trade
and bartering (function)
Money management and short
term/long-term financial goals
(causation)
Producers and consumers and the
exchange or goods and services
(connection)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social,
Thinking and Self-Management Skills

The Learner Profile: Balanced and
Thinker

Central idea
Living things interconnect, adapt and
change in predictable patterns and
cycles.
Key concepts: causation, change,
responsibility
Related concepts: cycles,
interconnection, growth, conservation
Lines of inquiry
How plants and animals are
interconnected through food chains
(connection)
. How plants and animals change in an
individual life cycle (change)
How living things adapt to
environments and meet their needs
(causation)
The impact of humans and
environmental variables on living things
(responsibility)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social, Self-
Management and Thinking Skills

The Learner Profile: Thinker and
Knowledgeable


Age An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
9-10
Central idea
Internal and external factors contribute
to peoples decisions to relocate.
Key concepts: change, causation,
perspective
Related concepts: location, journey,
migration/immigration, history,
expansion, geography
Lines of inquiry
Factors that facilitate
migration/immigration (causation)
Perspectives on
immigration/migration (perspective)
Social, economical and geographic
impacts of migration/immigration
(change)
Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Social and Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Reflective and
Knowledgeable

Central idea
Analysis of data and continuing
exploration of space enhance our
knowledge of the universe.
Key concepts: form, reflection,
perspective, connection
Related concepts: systems

Lines of inquiry
Characteristics of planets (form)
Comparison of the components of
the solar system (connection)
Gather & interpret data about the
sun and moon (reflection)
Space Exploration (perspective)

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Social and Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Open minded
and Risk-taker

Central idea
Primary and secondary sources create
a lens through which a regions history,
geography and economy is expressed
and interpreted.

Key concepts: causation, change,
perspective
Related concepts: history, geography,
economy

Lines of Inquiry
early Coloradans shape our state
(biographies) (perspective)
Colorados geography affects
regions lifestyle and economy
(causation)
Colorado changed over time
(change)

How perspective leads to different
interpretations of sources.

Transdisciplinary Skills:

The Learner Profile: Communicator
and Risk-taker
Central idea
All living things are classified according
to their characteristics, which help them
to adapt and survive.
.
Key concepts: form, function,
responsibility
Related concepts: extinction,
classification, scientific theories
Lines of inquiry
How and why are living things are
classified (function)
Similarities and differences of
species (form) (Polar Bear vs. Brown
Bear)
Impact of environmental changes on
survival (responsibility)
Transdisciplinary Skills: Self-
Management, Thinking and Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Thinker




Central idea
Government creates a system and a
structure for a countrys decision-
making process.
Key concepts: form, function,
responsibility
Related concepts: justice, authority,
citizenship, legislation
Lines of inquiry
Forms of state and federal
government (form)
The role of government in various
types of systems (function)
Functions of government and its
constituents (responsibility)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Self
Management and Thinking Skills

The Learner Profile: Balanced,
Principled


Central idea
Responsibility of sharing finite
resources leads to conservation of
energy and its sources.
Key concepts: form, connection,
responsibility
Related concepts: energy, renewable,
non-renewable, conservation
Lines of inquiry
Renewable and nonrenewable energy
sources (responsibility)
Impacts of energy use (connection)
Understanding different types of
energy (form)

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Thinking and Research
Skills

The Learner Profile: Caring and
Balanced


Age An inquiry into:
Who we are
An inquiry into:
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into:
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into:
How the world works
An inquiry into:
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into:
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into the nature of the 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
10-11
Central idea
Human body systems must function
together to maintain a healthy body.
Key concepts: function, responsibility,
reflection
Related concepts: systems (digestive,
nervous, reproductive, respiratory,
skeletal, muscular, circulatory)
Lines of inquiry
Human body systems and their
functions
Impacts of system failure
Comparing human systems to the
systems of other living organisms

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social, Self-
management and Research

The Learner Profile: Inquirer and
Caring

Central idea
Historical thinkers study people,
places and events to tell the story of
history from multiple perspectives and
inform the present.
Key concepts: causation, connection,
perspective
Related concepts: revolution, conflict,
rights
Lines of inquiry
Motivating factors contributing to a
revolution (causation)
Outcomes of revolution
(connection)
Violent vs. nonviolent action
(perspective)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Social
Thinking and Research

The Learner Profile: Open-Minded
Risk taker, and Communicator
EXHIBITION
Central idea
Effective communication promotes
awareness of local and global issues
and can lead to solutions.
Key concepts: ALL
Related concepts: communication
Lines of inquiry
Environmental, human and animal
issues
Problem solving strategies
forms of communication

Transdisciplinary Skills: All

The Learner Profile: All

Central idea
Earths surface changes constantly
through a variety of processes and
forces and impacts humans.

Key concepts: causation, change,
responsibility
Related concepts
Lines of inquiry
Tools used to identify, locate and
describe Earths surface and its
changes (function)

Causes of Earths changes (plate
tectonics, deposition, erosion,
human activity)(causation)
How changes on Earths surface
impact humans (change)

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Communication, Social Thinking and
Research

The Learner Profile: Thinker and
Knowledgeable

Central idea
A global citizen embodies civic ideals
and takes and promotes action.
Key concepts: form, perspective,
responsibility
Related concepts: civic ideals,
citizenship, civic responsibility, rights
Lines of inquiry
Citizenship within school, nation
and world
Rights and responsibilities of a
citizen
Actions that illustrate civic ideals

Transdisciplinary Skills: Self-
management, Communication and
Social

The Learner Profile: Principled and
Balanced


Central idea
Natural and man-made changes to the
Earths atmosphere can lead to extreme
weather.
Key concepts: function, causation,
change, responsibility
Related concepts: : atmosphere,
climate, seasons, systems, disasters
Lines of inquiry
Tools used to forecast weather
(function)
Causes of change in Earths
atmosphere (causation)
Impact of weather on humans
(change)
Prevention of man-made climate
change (responsibility)

Transdisciplinary Skills: Self-
management, Communication and
Social

The Learner Profile: Reflective and
Caring






6/14