How+the+World+Works

__Unit Letter for Parents__ [|Parent Letter How the world works.pdf]

**Transdisciplinary Theme: 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__** Earth is a unique planet and part of our solar system

** What lines of inquiry will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea? **


 * Earth’s place in the solar system (connection)
 * Characteristics of the planets (form)
 * Effects of the Earth’s movement (causation)

** What teacher questions/provocations will drive these inquiries? **


 * What is a solar system?
 * What is unique about each planet in our solar system? (form)
 * How does the movement of Earth affect us? (connection)

**Summative assessment task(s):** Students will role play as a scientist.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__Part 1__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Students will choose one aspect that makes Earth unique and explain it. Their understanding will be shown through an oral explanation. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">They will have the opportunity to make one of the following to support their explanation. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Model Diorama <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Book Flow chart

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__Part 2__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Students will compare Earth’s characteristics with those of one other planet.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Learner Profiles and Attitudes** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** Learner Profile – ** Knowledgeable, Communicator and Inquirer <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** Attitudes – ** Curiosity and appreciation