| Integrated Inquiry Themes |
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At Camp Hill we use a planning model called 'Integrated Inquiry'. Learning using the inquiry approach involves students forming their own questions about a topic and having time to explore the answers. Inquiry Learning encourages students to examine concepts in depth. Concepts are integrated across curriculum areas in order to achieve depth and breadth in learning. The inquiry approach is based on the belief that students are powerful learners who must be actively engaged in the process of investigating, processing, organising, synthesising, refining and extending their knowledge within a topic. The inquiry process has the potential to develop personal skills including independence, thinking skills, confidence, decision making, cooperative learning and other life skills.
Integrated Inquiry units are guided by a 'big picture' or key question, a number of more specific focus questions and understandings students will work towards attaining.
Understandings: We are animals but we are not the only ones! All animals have basic needs for survival. Within the animal kingdom there are similarities and differences.
What is an animal? What do animals need to survive? Why do we have zoos?
What is change? How does change affect us? How can we make it a positive thing? What is resilience? What things help us to build resilience?
It is important to celebrate our achievements We can do things better now.
What can I do now that I couldn’t at the start of the year? How can I apply my new skills and knowledge every day? How can we celebrate our achievements? What do we think is important to know and do? Why?
The sea is a unique world with special plants and animals. We can have a direct affect on the sea creatures’ environment Aquatic animals have basic survival needs (e.g. oxygen, water, food, shelter and protection). Focus Questions What is a sea creature? How do animals survive in the sea? What can affect a sea creature’s survival? How do our actions affect the sea environment? Term 2 Inquiry – ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’.
To be able to have a fit and healthy life and learn to our potential, we need to think about the food that we eat, exercise that we do and learn how to relax. Focus Questions What exercise can I do to maintain a healthy body? What food do I eat to maintain a healthy body? What can I do to help me relax? Why is important to have a healthy body? Why is it important to be fit? How can I control my body to help me learn better? Term 3 Inquiry – ‘Animal Companions’
All pets have needs such as love, trust, rest, food, shelter and exercise, but these differ with different types of animals. Owners have a responsibility to meet these needs for their pets. Focus Questions What is a pet? Why have pets? What are the needs of a pet? What does it mean to be a responsible pet owner? Term 4 Inquiry – ‘Bendigo Now & Then’
Why Bendigo was established and how it has changed over time. Buildings reflect the period of time in which they were constructed. This changes over time. Focus Questions Why was Bendigo established and how has Bendigo changed over time? How do buildings reflect a certain period of time?
Term 1 Inquiry – ‘Learning to Learn’. Understandings: Investigate how our brain works Be able to recognise personal learning styles Build on strategies for getting along with different people Aware of what makes our bodies switch on or switch off Knowing how to maintain a healthy body and mind How does our brain work when we learn? Focus Questions What are the different learning styles? What strategies and choices can we make to get along with others? What are switch on’s and switch off’s that help us learn? How can we maintain a healthy body and mind? Term 2 Inquiry – ‘Times, they are a Changing’ (Bob Dylan) Understandings: Most living things need food, water, light, temperatures (within certain limits), and air. Living things respire, move, reproduce and grow, and are dependent on their environment. Living things have a variety of body parts and structures that assist their survival by making or finding food, finding shelter and reproducing. Living things interact with one another and with other living things in various ways. Certain events, both natural and man-made, affect the survival of living things. Focus Questions What do living things need to survive in their environment? What are the characteristics of a living thing? What are the differences between living and non-living things? How are living things dependent on each other? How do natural and man-made events impact on living things and their environments? Term 4 Inquiry - Bob The Builder: Can we build it? (Yes we can!) How can we create with purpose? Understandings: The importance of following a process to design, produce and evaluate a product. There are procedures to reflect on, adapt and improve their own product. Making appropriate tool, equipment and technique choices can alter the combination and assembly of materials. Selecting appropriate ICT tools will support and enhance their presentations. What are the steps involved in designing, producing and evaluating a product? Focus Questions How do we reflect on, adapt and improve our product? What tools, equipment and techniques can we use to achieve our design brief goal? How can we use ICT tools to support and enhance our presentations? Term 1 Inquiry – ‘You Can Do It’.
Develop positive mindset/attitudes about self and others. To inspire children to want to become successful learners. Your choices and behaviours are influenced by your thinking and feelings. Your thinking and attitude affects your learning and your relationships. Focus Questions: What does success look like? How will being a motivated learner affect you? How are your choices influenced by your thoughts and feelings? How does our attitude influence our learning and relationships? Term 2 Inquiry – ‘Australia: A Unique Place to Be’.
Understandings: Australia is a diverse landscape. Students can read, interpret and create maps using common mapping features. Students recognise and identify where they live in relation to other regions in Australia. Students use various mapping technologies to locate and identify landmarks and locations, and demonstrate an understanding of how these technologies work. Focus Questions: How do the physical environments of Australia vary? Why are maps necessary and how are they used? What are the differences and similarities between Bendigo and other regions of Australia? How has technology changed the way we use maps and locate destinations? Term 3 Inquiry – ‘To Infinity and Beyond’
The planets have their place in the solar system and each has unique characteristics. The rotation of Earth causes day and night and the orbit of the Earth causes the seasons. Gravity is a force that acts between particles of matter and is essential for all life on Earth. Mankind’s curiosity about space has led to study, invention, exploration and discovery. Humans have been disputing the existence of aliens for decades.
What distinguishes one planet from another? How do day, night and the four seasons occur? What would life on Earth be like without gravity? How has mankind’s curiosity about space evolved over time? Why do people think aliens exist and if this was proven, how would it change life on Earth as we know it? Term 4 Inquiry – ‘Body, Mind and Soul’.
Understandings: The different systems of the human body all play a role in keeping us healthy. All foods have nutritional value and impact upon our health in different ways. Physical activity is an important element in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Focus Questions: How do the different systems of the human body work? How do we understand the impact that nutrients have on our health? Why do we need to be physically active?
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