POI

OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY

2012-2013
Age

Revised - 5/8/2012

Who we are

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 between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

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.

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.

How we organize ourselves

An inquiry into the interconnectedness of humanmade systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decisionmaking; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

Sharing 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.

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.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Change Is All Around Us

Central idea Personal and natural events can influence change through experiences Key concepts: Change, Perspective, Causation Related concepts: Patterns, Diversity, Culture Lines of inquiry *Personal history human growth and development *Timelines as a representation of history and change * Identify solids and liquids * Sequence events

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
Central idea Cultures use artistic expressions to celebrate beliefs and values Key concepts: Connections, Perspective, Function Related concepts: Culture, Beliefs, Movement Lines of inquiry *How and why people celebrate *Similarities and differences between celebrations *Demonstrate different types of movements *Make Predictions

You Are My Sunshine

Central idea People respond to nature for daily living Key concepts: Form, Causation, Connection Related concepts: Pattern, System, Environment Lines of inquiry *How does weather affect our daily loves *How can we describe, record, and measure data *Why do weather and seasons change *Causes and effects of the day and night sky

Wants or Needs
Central idea Communities interact to fill wants or needs Key concepts: Responsiblity, Function, Connection Related concepts: Values, Needs, Interaction Lines of inquiry *Understand fundamental economic concepts *Identify the needs of plants and animals for survival *Observe, identify, and compare the properties of various objects *Compare and contrast needs

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Central idea Organisms share resources to survive Key concepts: Reflection, Causation, Function Related concepts: Organisms, System, Change Lines of inquiry *What are resources we use to find location *Recognize that some things are living and some things are not *Participate in shared reading and writing projects

K
(5-6)

Central idea People use cooperation to build community Key concepts: Perspective, Responsibility, Function Related concepts: Community, Cooperation, Interaction Lines of inquiry *An individuals responsibility to know rules *Individuals use tools to solve problems *Recognize parts of a whole and how they work together *Draw conclusions concerning acts of cooperation

BFF

NOW OR LATER
Central idea Personal expressions reflect who we are in place and time. Key concepts: Causation, Change Related concepts: Development (growth), family Lines of inquiry *Reflecting on who you are *Cultural beliefs about the weather, the moon, stars and natural disasters. *Understanding individual differences in language, beliefs and customs.

PICTURE THIS
Central idea Discoveries in nature can be expressed through the arts. Key concepts: Form, Function, Perspective Related concepts: Perception, Self-expression Lines of inquiry *Observing the outside environment and expressing it through art. *Classifying earths material according to their physical properties. *Expressing their uniqueness through the arts.

CIRCLE OF LIFE
Central idea Change progresses through cycles. Key concepts: Change, Connection Related concepts: Cycles, Transformation Lines of inquiry *Developmental stages of various living things. *How living things change over time. *Natural cycles

YOU + ME = WE
Central idea Community members work together to meet needs Key concepts: Function, Connection, Responsibility Related concepts: networks, communities Lines of inquiry *Basic Needs *Goods and services * How animals provide for their communities

IM A SURVIVOR
Central idea Organisms have to adapt to survive. Key concepts: Change, Connection Related concepts: Adaptation, Evolution Lines of inquiry
*How plants and animals adapt or respond to environmental conditions. *Investigate how plants and animals can be grouped according to their habitats. *Identify the patterns of plants/animals and explain how it survives in its environment.

1
(6-7)

Central idea Communal activities can enhance relationships. Key concepts: Perspective, Reflection Related concepts: Communication, Empathy, Open-mindedness Lines of inquiry *Interacting socially with different cultures. *Observation of different cultures and customs using our senses and tools. *Recognizing that different cultures are learned behavior.

POI
OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY
2012-2013
Revised - 5/8/2012

Who we are

Where we are in place and time

THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Central idea Journeys create change and can lead to new opportunities. Key concepts: Causation, Change, Reflection Related concepts: Choice, Civilizations, Resources Lines of inquiry *types of journeys *costs and/or benefits of change *resources involved in moving or taking a journey *changes experienced in a move All AROUND THE WORLD Central idea Physical geography influences how organisms adapt and survive Key concepts: causation, form Related concepts: adaptation Geography Lines of inquiry *geographical features of the word *differentiate Earths characteristics *organisms adaptation influenced by environmental change *id where we are in the world and how we adapt to our surroundings

How we express ourselves

EXPRESS YOURSELF
Central idea Feelings and ideas are expressed in various ways Key concepts: Connection, Perspective, Reflection Related concepts: Communication, Beliefs, Representation Lines of inquiry *types of artistic expressions *similarities and differences in the way we express ourselves *how feelings and ideas are expressed through the arts

How the world works

DONT GO CHANGIN
Central idea Natural disasters cause human interactions around the world. Key concepts: Form, Change, Causation Related concepts: Transformation, Discovery, Pattern, Adaptation, CauseEffect Organization, Systems, Lines of inquiry *effects of changes in the natural world *distinguishing characteristics of ecosystems *human responses to natural disasters EARTH ROCKS Central idea Systems are in place to maintain order Key concepts: Function, Causation Related concepts: Time/space, systems Lines of inquiry *systems and how they work *determining the order of historical events *the use of tools, technology & inventions

How we organize ourselves

TIME FLIES
Central idea All living things go through a process of change. Key concepts: Form, Change, Connection Related concepts: Transformation, Change, Cycle, Habitat, Cause-Effect, Dependence Organization, Systems, Lines of inquiry *life cycles (living things) *how living things change over time (timelines) *changes experienced because of an individual WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK Central idea Organization of work sustains peoples needs. Key concepts: Reflection, Responsibility Related concepts: Economics, Production, Employment (Junior Achievement) Lines of inquiry *resources in a workplace *organization of production *different structures of organization in our community

Sharing the planet

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Central idea Individuals are responsible for acquiring knowledge of their rights as a citizen. Key concepts: Responsibility, Connection, Perspective Related concepts: Diversity, Beliefs, Power Lines of inquiry *segregation over time *rules of voting throughout history * rights/responsibilities as a citizen (various countries) *availability of resources RADICAL RECYCLING Central idea Natural resources support life. Key concepts: change Responsibility Related concepts: Balance, Natural resources, conservation Lines of inquiry *natural resources and how they are used *responsibilities regarding resources *demonstrate an understanding of human responsibility through conservation and recycling

HEALTHY AND HAPPY

2
(7-8)

Central idea Lifestyle choices can affect functions of the human body. Key concepts: Function, Causation, Responsibility Related concepts: Consequences, Balance Lines of inquiry *systems of the human body *functions of body systems *Components of nutrition and how it affects the body *personal health behaviors that lead to a healthy life style

3
(8-9)

YOUVE GOT A FRIEND IN ME Central idea Relationships connect human interactions. Key concepts: Reflection, Connection Related concepts: Interdependence, Family, Sustainability Lines of inquiry *types of relationships *reasons for establishing Relationships *ways to make and keep relationships

A MIRROR OF THE SOUL Central idea Communication is expressed through the arts. Key concepts: reflection,Perspective Related concepts: Communication, Expression, patterns, imagination Lines of inquiry *differentiating between sound and pitch *gaining a cultural perspective of the arts *ways to express ourselves through the arts

POI
OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY
2012-2013
Revised - 5/8/2012

Who we are

Where we are in place and time

BON VOYAGE
Central idea Explorations and discoveries impact the way of life Key concepts: Causation, change, connection Related concepts: Culture, Systems, Migrations Lines of inquiry *identify the economic motivations for explorations *analyze the impact on Native Americans due to European explorations *establishment of Colonial America

How we express ourselves

WAR..WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
Central idea Wars affect people and places. Key concepts: Reflection, Perspective, Causation Related concepts: Conflict, Responsibility, Change Lines of inquiry *What is war? *What are the reasons for war? * What are the affects of war?

How the world works

EENIE MEENIE MINEY MOE
Central idea The function of physical science determines the interactions between humans and the natural world. Key concepts: Form, Function, Causation Related concepts: Matter, Energy, Force Lines of inquiry *properties of matter *different forms of energy *movement *use of electricity

How we organize ourselves

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
Central idea Technology reveals the mysteries of space Key concepts: Change, Function, Connection Related concepts: Gravity, Atmosphere, Space Lines of inquiry *tools/instruments used to help understand space *interpretations of information gathered *solving problems using data

Sharing the planet

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Central idea Living things need to adapt in order to survive. Key concepts: Function, Connection, Change, Causation Related concepts: Adaptation, Evolution, Competition, Cooperation Lines of inquiry *The need for energy *Concept of adaptation *How plant and animals adapt and respond to environmental conditions *Habitats

4
(9-10)

GOVERNMENT.. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE

Central idea Government provide structure within a society Key concepts: Form, Function, Causation Related concepts: Systems, Responsibility, Conflict Lines of inquiry *structure of governments *societys influence on government *purpose of government

5
(10-11)

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW

Central idea Systems rely on integral parts to function and advance. Key concept: Entity Related concepts: Systems, Government, Cooperation, Organism Lines of inquiry *Systems are an interacting or interdependent group forming a unified whole. *Systems co-exist in different forms to perform different tasks. *Systems cannot advance unless each interdependent part performs its function.

NATURE VS NUTURE
Central idea Reproduction passes traits Key concept: Sustainability Related concepts: Continuity, Diversity Lines of inquiry *Reproduction as part of a life-cycle *Reproductive processes *Genetics and hereditary factors

VALUE
Central idea People establish morals and values based on their beliefs. Key concept: Perception Related concepts: Beliefs, Cultures, Values Lines of inquiry *what are traditions *how and why people set morals and values

PENNIES FOR THE PLANET

Central idea Human societies impact the natural world through intentional and unintentional actions. Key concept: Technology Related concepts: Conservation, Character, Ecosystem Lines of inquiry: *What is considered the natural world? *Ones actions and decisions can affect the planet. *What does conservation mean for the future? *What are intentional and unintentional actions?

THE GREEN ECONOMY

Central idea Major events in the environment influence the economic life of an area. Key concept: Responsibilities Related concepts: Causeeffect, Economics, Cooperation Lines of inquiry *An economy is a system of interaction and exchange. *Economic decisions affect the environment. *How organizations collaborate to address global issues *What is our responsibility in helping to improve the economy?

CONFLICT
Central idea Finding peaceful solutions to conflict leads to a better quality of human life. Key concepts: Conflict Related concepts: Change, Cooperation, Lines of inquiry *A conflict is a competitive or opposing action. *A solution is an action or process of solving a problem. *How can we use past experiences to solve current conflicts? *How can we work together to resolve differences?