Inquiry Years 3-6

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

2018 Overview

3 & 5 Who we are Where we are in Sharing the Planet

place and time
4 & 6 How we express How the world How we organise
ourselves works ourselves

*based on the Transdisciplinary Themes













2017 Program of Inquiry Year 3 / Year 4
WHO WE ARE
2017
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.
Year 3 CENTRAL IDEA: 6th
Humans are primates who have
some unique characteristics of their
own.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- Physical similarities and
differences between humans and
other primates
- Behavioural similarities and
differences between humans and
other primates
- The social organisation of
humans compared to that of
other primates
CONCEPTS:
Form, Connection, Reflection
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Similarities/differences, behaviour,
classification, relationship
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Year 4 CENTRAL IDEA: 2nd
Understanding ourselves helps us to
understand others.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- How personality strengths play a
role in relationships
- Why groups function the way
they do
- Understanding ourselves
influences how we behave and
see the world
CONCEPTS:
Function, Reflection, Causation
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Peace and conflict, respect,
responsibility, values, empathy
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
WHERE ARE WE IN TIME AND PLACE HOW WE EXPRESS
OURSELVES
An inquiry into orientation in place and
time; personal histories; homes and An inquiry into the ways in
journeys; the discoveries, explorations and which we discover and
migrations of humankind; the relationships express ideas, feelings, nature,
between and the interconnectedness of culture, beliefs and values; the
individuals and civilizations, from local and ways in which we reflect on,
global perspectives. extend and enjoy our
creativity; our appreciation of
the aesthetic.
CENTRAL IDEA: 5th CENTRAL IDEA: 1st
Wondering about space leads to beliefs and People influence us in
the desire to explore. different ways when they
express their personal
AN INQUIRY INTO: attributes.
- Our place in space
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- Past, present and future human
- Role models and why we
exploration of space
value them
- How space phenomena have been
- The various ways in which
explained through myths and legends
people can be influenced
by their role models
CONCEPTS:
Perspective, Connection, Reflection - The different ways in
which people express
RELATED CONCEPTS: Discovery,
themselves and their ideas
revelation, light, scale
CONCEPTS:
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Change, Connection
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Individuality, values, qualities
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Japanese, Art
CENTRAL IDEA: 4th CENTRAL IDEA: 6th
Life is transformed when places are settled. People express themselves in
personally meaningful ways.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- Australia’s first people
- Everybody has the right
- Factors that led to settlement of
to express their opinion
Australia by Europeans
- Expression can take many
- Impacts on aboriginal people after
forms
settlement
- Artistic expression
- Japanese Communities around the conveys a particular
world (form)
message
- Japanese cultural contribution to
CONCEPTS:
Australia (perspective)
Connection, Perspective,
CONCEPTS:
Responsibility
Causation, Perspective, Change
RELATED CONCEPTS:
RELATED CONCEPTS: Creativity, expression, change
Resources, geography, society, history,
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
impact
Art
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Japanese
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.
CENTRAL IDEA: 4th
Simple machines operate in
different ways to ensure tasks are
performed efficiently and
effectively.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- What is a simple machine
- The ways in which simple
machines are used
- The impact simple machines
have had on society
CONCEPTS:
Function, Causation, Form
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Mechanics, efficiency, design
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
CENTRAL IDEA: 1st
Scientific understanding helps in
the preservation and management
of resources.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- The parts of an ecosystem
- The balance of an ecosystem
- How Science helps people
understand and manage the
impact of human action
CONCEPTS:
Responsibility, Connection,
Change
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Systems, balance, measurement,
data, resources, producers,
consumers, decomposers
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
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.
CENTRAL IDEA: 3rd
People have a collective
responsibility to preserve places in
the environment.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- Why some places in the
environment are protected
- The natural and man made
features of countries
- How our actions can preserve
places in the environment
CONCEPTS:
Form, Responsibility, Causation
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Growth, reproduction, adaptation,
habitat, living/non-living/once
living
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Japanese
CENTRAL IDEA: 5th
Energy can be transformed,
converted and harnessed to
support life on earth.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- The different forms of energy
(renewable and non-renewable)
- How energy is used
- The impact on society and the
environment
- Sustainable energy practices
CONCEPTS:
Form, Function, Causation
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Energy, power, consumption,
pollution, cause and effect, heat,
light
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
HOW WE ORGANISE
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.
CENTRAL IDEA: 2nd
Our use of communication
technology is shaped by personal
choices and social awareness.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- How technology is always
changing
- The ways communication
technology facilitates
communication
- Our responsibilities as digital
citizens
CONCEPTS:
Change, Connection,
Responsibility
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Innovation, relationships,
communication
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Japanese, Music, Art
CENTRAL IDEA: 3rd
Humans have always been
motivated to explore the world.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- The motivations for
undertaking a great journey
- The consequences for people
and places, of a great journey
- Great journeys throughout
history
CONCEPTS:
Causation, Change
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Cause and effect, trade, empire,
navigation, competition, curiosity,
discovery
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
2017 Program of Inquiry Year 5 / Year 6
WHO WE ARE
2017
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 ARE WE IN TIME AND
PLACE
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.
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.
HOW WE ORGANISE
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.

Year 5 CENTRAL IDEA: 2nd
Self-awareness allows individuals
to experience wellbeing in their
lives.
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- What it means to be a healthy
human being
- Decisions you can make to
enhance (and maintain) your
emotional, physical, mental,
social and spiritual wellbeing
- How personal wellbeing can
positively influence group
wellbeing
CONCEPTS:
Function, Connection,
Responsibility
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Supporting others, making
informed decisions
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Japanese, Art, Physical Education
CENTRAL IDEA: 4th CENTRAL IDEA: 1st CENTRAL IDEA: 5th CENTRAL IDEA: 6th CENTRAL IDEA: 3rd
Colonies develop over time and are Music, visual arts and literature The Sun is essential for life on Acts of service improves peoples’ Places develop in response to
shaped by significant events and people. express and evoke emotions. Earth. lives. human, environmental and
geographical factors.
AN INQUIRY INTO: AN INQUIRY INTO: AN INQUIRY INTO: AN INQUIRY INTO:
AN INQUIRY INTO:
- The development of colonies in - How emotions are related to - The earth is part of a system - The characteristics of action
Australia thoughts of planets and service - The human, geographical and
environmental factors that
- The influence of individuals and - How emotions are expressed - The size and relative distance - Local organisations that
influence the development of
events on colonial development through creative arts of the different components in support people locally and in
cities
the solar system the wider Hobart community
- How traditional aboriginal games - How people respond to
- How cities have developed in
have changed over time and creative arts - The sun as a source of energy - Action to support others in our response to these factors
influenced modern day games. that supports life on earth community
CONCEPTS:
- How these factors have shaped
CONCEPTS: CONCEPTS: CONCEPTS:
Function, Perspective life and culture
Change, Perspective Form, Causation, reflection Responsibility, Connection,
RELATED CONCEPTS: CONCEPTS:
Causation
RELATED CONCEPTS: RELATED CONCEPTS:
Persuasion, individuality, Form, Causation
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Migration, prejudice, beliefs, culture empathy, appreciation Energy, matter, gravity, light
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Equity, human rights, action,
SPECIALIST CONNECTION: SPECIALIST CONNECTION: SPECIALIST CONNECTION: charity Landform, mapping, borders,
Physical Education Art, Music, Japanese industry, community
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Music, Art, Japanese

Year 6 CENTRAL IDEA: 3rd CENTRAL IDEA: 1st CENTRAL IDEA: 5th CENTRAL IDEA: 4th CENTRAL IDEA: 6th CENTRAL IDEA: 2nd
People express their spirituality The formation of a country is the result Communities are connected (Exhibition) Decisions influence our Countries have a system of
through exploring and enacting of many influences and events. through the expression of environment. government.
(Five of To be co-constructed with the
their beliefs and values. culturally significant traditions.
these are AN INQUIRY INTO: Year 6 students. AN INQUIRY INTO: AN INQUIRY INTO:
undertaken AN INQUIRY INTO: AN INQUIRY INTO:
- Societal change in Australia since AN INQUIRY INTO: - Countries and their - The roles and responsibilities of
each year,
- The role of religious and the 1900s - Significant traditions geographical diversity the Government in Australia
and the sixth
is spiritual organisations
- The formation of a national identity - Forms of expression - Factors that influence the - How democracy works
undertaken - The common beliefs that define CONCEPTS: environment
as the - Stories of groups of people who - Ways in which communities - Other systems of governance
religion
exhibition migrate to Australia and the reasons connect - The rights and responsibilities
around the world
which may - Similarities and differences they migrated RELATED CONCEPTS: in a sustainable planet
CONCEPTS:
be modified between spiritual practices CONCEPTS:
CONCEPTS: CONCEPTS:
or re- Connection, Form
CONCEPTS: Function, Form, Responsibility
written) Causation, Connection, Change SPECIALIST CONNECTION: Responsibility, Causation,
RELATED CONCEPTS:
Reflection, Perspective Connection RELATED CONCEPTS:
RELATED CONCEPTS:
RELATED CONCEPTS: Culture, community, rites of RELATED CONCEPTS:
Culture, identity, conflict, migration, passage, creativity, arts, tradition Democracy, law, power,
government, decision making
Tolerance trade Migration, Impact, Origin
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
SPECIALIST CONNECTION: SPECIALIST CONNECTION: SPECIALIST CONNECTION:
Art, Music, Japanese
Japanese
Japan Art, Japanese