Early Years Environment Learning

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.

Kindergarten

Light & Sound (3)
10 weeks

Central idea
Our understanding of the world changes by making observations, asking questions, and investigating our theories.

Key concepts
Change, Function

Related concepts
Causation – Exploration
Function – Forces

Line of inquiry
1. How our senses allow us to observe and investigate our theories
2. The sources of light and sound
3. How size and shape impact the movement of objects
4. DRAMA: How we can create different shadow shapes of various sizes

 

Grade 1

Cycles (5)
6 weeks

Central idea
Observable changes occur in the sky, on land and with living things.

Key concepts
Connection, Change

Related concepts
Science Skills – Drafting an hypothesis
Change – Change
Connection – Cycles

Line of inquiry

  1. We will inquire into the stages of life changes and cycles
  2. We will inquire about changes and patterns that occur in the sky and on Earth
  3. We will inquire into features of plants and animals

 

Grade 2

Forces/ Simple Machines (4)
6 weeks

Central idea
A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape.

Key concepts
Function, Connection

Related concepts
N/A

Line of inquiry

1. The push and pull forces behind simple machines (gravity, buoyancy, air resistance, friction, magnetism)
2. How we problem solve using simple machines
3. The scientific method

 

Grade 3

Space (4)
6 weeks

Central idea
There are scientific laws that shape our solar system.

Key concepts
Form, Causation

Related concepts
N/A

Line of inquiry

1. Danish – using numbers, adjectives with distance
2. Scientific laws of gravity, motion and mass
3. Sun’s properties impact our solar system
4. Properties, elements, and states of matter impact our solar system

 

Grade 4

Change of Matter (5)
6 weeks

Central idea
Matter has unique properties that affect the way it behaves.

Key concepts
Form, Change

Related concepts
Science Skills – Drafting an hypothesis
Change – Classification, How do shapes change postion based on their properties?, Matter
Form – Critical Analysis, Presentation, Properties, Systems

Line of inquiry

1. Characteristics and behaviour of matter
2. Physical and chemical properties of matter
3. Experimenting with variables
4. The scientific method

 

Grade 5

Light & Heat (3)
9 weeks

Central idea
Light and heat are necessary forms of energy which impact us everyday.

Key concepts
Form, Causation, Function

Related concepts
N/A

Line of inquiry

1. How heat is generated and transferred
2. How light is reflected, refracted and absorbed
3. How we measure the impact of light & heat in everyday circumstances