Saint Bernard’s School

Programme of Inquiry

 

 

 

Who we are

 

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.

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 human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; 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.

 

 

 

 

 

PK

 

Healthy Me

 

Key concepts:  function, causation, responsibility

 

Central idea:  There are things we do to keep ourselves safe and healthy.

 

An inquiry into: 

*Why cleanliness is important

*How we keep ourselves safe

*How adults in our lives help keep us healthy and safe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Friendships

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  Our actions and reactions influence our friendships.

 

An inquiry into:

*How we interact with others

*How feelings are expressed

*How we are the same/different

 

 

 

 

Circle of Life

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, responsibility

 

Central idea:  Living things are connected to one another

 

An inquiry into:

*How they interact

*How they share space

*What they need and/or provide for each other

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Communities

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, responsibility

 

Central idea:  Learning communities are essential for social, emotional and cognitive development.

 

An inquiry into: 

*How we learn

*What things are important to learn

*What is expected from us

*What we learn in school

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K

 

We Are Family

 

Key concepts:  causation, connection, change

 

Central idea:  People need families

 

 

An inquiry into:

*What makes a family

*Similarities & differences of families

*How and why families change

 

 

 

I Spy

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  We use our senses to understand & explore the world.

 

An inquiry into:

*The five senses

*How senses influence our feelings

*How people use their senses differently

 

 

 

 

 

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum

 

Key concepts:  form connection

 

Central idea:  We share fairy tales, nursery rhymes, & short stories.

 

An inquiry into:

*Differences & similarities between make-believe and true stories

*How stories are structured

*Reasons we tell stories

 

Going Places

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, responsibility

 

Central idea:  There are different vehicles to move people & things.

 

 

An inquiry into:

*Kinds of transportation

*How we use transportation

*How transportation is organized (works, roads, signs)

 

 

 

 

People In My Neighborhood

 

Key concepts:  function, connection, responsibility

 

Central idea:  I am a part of different communities

 

An inquiry into:

*Types of communities

*Who are the people in communities

*How communities help us

*Our role in communities

 

 

 

Sharing Is Caring

 

Key concepts:  connection, responsibility, change

 

Central idea:  People share the planet with living and non-living things.

 

An inquiry into:

*Sharing

*Animals

*Plants

*The earth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Family Tree

 

Key concepts:  change, responsibility, causation

 

 

Central idea:  Our families make us who we are

 

 

An inquiry into:

*History of your family

*Family traditions

*Roles and responsibilities of families

 

History Teaches

 

Key concepts:  connection, form, perspective, responsibility

 

Central idea:  People impact our world through their contributions and accomplishments

 

An inquiry into:

*Significant accomplishments of people in world history

*How contributions have changed out lives

*Character of people who cause change

 

Authors

 

Key concepts:  reflection, responsibility, connection

 

Central ideas:  Authors and illustrators use their personal experiences to influence their work

 

An inquiry into:

*How authors and illustrators develop ideas

*Different ways in which authors and illustrators communicate

*Comparing and contrasting the work of authors and illustrators

 

Look Before You Leap

 

Key concepts:  form, function, perspective

 

Central idea:  Sign and symbol systems are used to communicate

 

An inquiry into:

*Forms of communication

*Kinds of symbols (math, science, music)

*Communication systems (ie:  Braille, sign)

 

All Systems Go!

 

Key concepts:  connection, change, causation

 

Central idea:  System interactions can cause change

 

An inquiry into:

*What a system is

*The evidence of interactions

*How systems affect our lives

 

 

3rd Rock from the Sun

 

Key concepts:  connection, change, form, perspective

 

Central idea:  The earth is a unique part of the universe 

 

 

An inquiry into:

*understand the globe is a presentation of earth

*Cardinal directions

*Map keys

*Parts of the earth (ex:forest ocean, desert,etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

You Are Unique

 

Key concepts:  form, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  Diversity shows our individuality but also connects us to each other

 

An inquiry into:

*Culture

*Economics

*Physical

*Learning

 

United We Stand

 

Key concepts:  form, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  We share goals and responsibilities as citizens.

 

An inquiry into:

*Components of communities

*Responsibilities as citizens

*Roles within a community

*Decision- making in a community

 

 

 

Tell Me A Tale!

 

Key concepts:  form, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  People learn and share ideas through stories

 

An inquiry into:

*How culture influences story-telling

*How stories are passed from generation to generation

*Forms of stories can change

*Why people share stories.

 

 

The Sky Is Falling!

 

Key concepts:  form, function, causation

 

 

Central idea:  Weather and seasons affect living and nonliving things.

 

An inquiry into:

*How weather is helpful and harmful

*What makes up weather

*Weather elements

*How we measure weather

 

Reap What We Sow

 

Key concepts:  function, change, responsibility

 

 

Central idea:  Nature provides things for human basic needs.

 

An inquiry into:

*food

*clothing

*shelter

 

Whales, Snails & Other Tails

 

Key concepts:  form, connection, reflection

 

Central idea:  Animals and people share the Earth’s resources and spaces.

 

An inquiry into:

*How animals live

*Animal classification

*How humans are connected to and responsible for animals

*Why extinction and endangerment is important

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

 

Key concepts:  reflection, connection, causation

 

Central idea:  Nutrition and exercise contribute to good health

 

An inquiry into:

*Food pyramid

*Types of exercise

*Attributes of good health

 

To Infinity & Beyond

 

 

Key concepts:  form, change, causation

 

Central idea:  the earth is part of the vast universe

 

 

An inquiry into:

*Stars

*Planets

*Moons

*Explorers

 

 

Celebrate Good Times!

 

Key concepts:  causation, connection, perspective

 

Central idea:  Beliefs and values of people are expressed through celebrations and traditions

 

An inquiry into:

*Beliefs

*Traditions

*Celebrations

*Places in the world

 

Survival of the Fittest

 

Key concepts:  change, causation, responsibility

 

Central idea:  Plants and animals adapt to their environment

 

 

An inquiry into:

*Adaptations

*Environments

*Why plants and animals adapt