Vilnius International School

Age	An inquiry into: Who we are	An inquiry into: Where we are in place and time	An inquiry into: How we express ourselves	An inquiry into: How the world works	An inquiry into: How we organize ourselves	An inquiry into: Sharing the planet
6-7 Grade 1	MY BODY Central Idea Our bodies are made up of parts that work together Key Concepts: Function, causation, connection Related Concepts: Systems, anatomy, structure Lines of Inquiry: Five senses and how they work together Parts of the body and their functions	FAMILY HISTORIES Central Idea Learning about our relatives and ancestors teachers us about who we are Key Concepts: Perspective, connection, reflection Related Concepts: Development, family, Interpretation Lines of Inquiry: Family ancestry Change from birth Personal articles that have personal meaning	STORIES Central Idea Stories inform us about things we don’t understand and help our imaginations grow Key Concepts: Perspective, form, function Related Concepts: Beliefs, opinion structure Lines of Inquiry: Stories reflect on our own feelings and attitudes Stories have similarities and differences Stories teach us the wisdom of life	PLANET EARTH Central Idea The natural features of the earth are formed over time and are ever-changing Key Concepts: Causation, form, change Related Concepts: Consequences, patterns cycles Lines of Inquiry: Seasons in the year Geographical conditions	COMMUNITY SYSTEMS Central Idea There are systems in our communities to meet our needs Key Concepts: Form, function, change Related Concepts: Systems, network Lines of inquiry: Services a community needs How the services meet our needs Different systems provided by the community	WATER Central Idea: Water is essential to life, and is a limited resource for many people. Key Concepts: Function, Responsibility, Reflection Related Concepts: Conservation, equity, processes Lines of Inquiry: Sources of water and how it is used What happens to water after we use it Distribution and availability of water Responsibilities with water
7-8 Grade 2	HEALTH Central Idea A healthy lifestyle benefits ourselves, the people in our lives and the community we share Key Concepts: Change, responsibility Related Concepts: Healthy, digestion, body systems, Lines of Inquiry: Mental and physical well-being A balanced, healthy life How the body uses food	WHERE WE ARE Central Idea A global perspective is supported by understanding where we are in the world. Key Concepts: Connection, perspective Related Concepts: Context, location, orientation Lines of Inquiry: How place is represented today and through time-mapping Our relationship with the rest of the world	PERFORMANCE! Central Idea Through art people can express themselves in many ways Key Concepts: form, perspective, reflection Related Concepts: Opinion, subjectivity Lines of Inquiry: Many ways for people to express themselves Everyone can express themselves Role of art in our society	WEATHER AND ITS FURY Central Idea Weather conditions change depending on where we live and what time of year it is Key Concepts: Causation Change Reflection Related Concepts: Interpretation, evidence, cycles, adaptation, pattern, impact Lines of Inquiry: Individuals and societies make decisions based on changing weather and seasons Water cycle affects daily weather and weather events Weather events can cause change around the world	TIME Central Idea Clocks and calendars were invented long ago to organize and understand the world Key Concepts: Function, change, perspective Related Concepts: Time, Lines of Inquiry: Clocks and calendars work to tell time Clocks and calendars have changed over time Calendars are different in different places	MAINTAINING THE EARTH Central Idea: People can establish practices in order to sustain and maintain the Earth’s resources Key Concepts Change, responsibility, reflection Related Concepts: Lifestyle, resources Lines of Inquiry: Limited nature of Earth’s resources Personal choices that can help sustain the environment Reusing and recycling different materials Reducing waste
8-9 Grade 3	EXPORING OUR DIVERSITY Central Idea The way people look can lead to understanding. Key Concepts: Connection, perspective, reflection Related Concepts: relationships, interdependence, opinions, beliefs, Lines of Inquiry: What we wear Reasons for what we wear The impact of first impressions Countering misconceptions	INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS Central Idea Inventors create new ways of solving problems that make life more safe, convenient and entertaining Key Concepts: Form, reflection, causation Related Concepts: Structure, role, pattern, impact, interpretation, review Lines of Inquiry: Inventions build on past designs Inventions are the solution to problems Inventors create inventions to meet needs	HOBBIES Central Idea Hobbies help us learn about ourselves and each other Key Concepts: Perspective, connection, function Related Concepts: Culture, diversity, opinion Lines of Inquiry: There are different hobbies all around the world There are hobbies that are shared globally and some that are local Hobbies express who we are as an individual and as a group	SIMPLE MACHINES Central Idea Complicated devices evolved from a few simple machines that made pushing and pulling easier Key Concepts: Form, function Related Concepts: Systems, structures, Lines of Inquiry: Complex inventions are a combination of simpler ones Types of simple machines Use of simple machines	ADVERTISING Central Idea: Persuasive writing and advertising can influence our beliefs and wants Key Concepts Perspective, causation, change Related Concepts: Subjectivity, prejudice, opinion, impact Lines of Inquiry:	BIODIVERSITY Central Idea Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems Key Concepts: Connection, responsibility, change Related Concepts: Balance, Diversity, interdependence Lines of Inquiry: Interdependence within ecosystems, biomes and environments Ways in which organisms are interconnected in nature How human interaction with the environment can affect the balance of systems
9-10 Grade 4	GIVE AND TAKE Central Idea Listening to other people’s perspectives and communicating our own points of view help us to live together Key Concepts: Perspective, responsibility, connection, Related Concepts: Beliefs, impact Lines of Inquiry: I can make the world a better place Scope and origins of social and environmental problems Types of social actions	ANCIENT CULTURES Central Idea Many systems of past cultures are linked to society and culture of the present day Key Concepts: Form, Causation, Connection Related Concepts: Geography, Culture, Architecture, Agricultural, Economy, Continuity Lines of Inquiry: Aspects of civilizations that have survived Reasons why these systems have developed Ancient civilizations contributed and shaped our own lives	BELIEFS AND VALUES Central Idea Rituals, traditions and artifacts provide a window into the beliefs and values of cultures. Key Concepts: Perspective, reflection, connection Related Concepts: Beliefs, values, opinions Lines of Inquiry: Our culture is made up of beliefs, values, superstitions and myths Similarities and differences between major world religions The role of stories The impact of religious points of view on society.	ENERGY AND ITS SOURCES Central Idea Energy exists in different forms and it is changed, stored, and used in different ways Key Concepts: Form, Function, Connection Related Concepts: Conservation, Transformation Lines of Inquiry: Forms of Energy The storage and transformation of energy Conservation of energy Renewable and sustainable energy	MONEY, MONEY, MONEY Central Idea Earning, saving, investing, and spending money involves making responsible and informed decisions Key Concepts: Form, causation, responsibility Related Concepts: Societal-decision marking Lines of Inquiry: Ways individuals’ needs and wants are met. The need for economical planning at different levels of society Fairness in distribution of wealth Ethical practices regarding products and services	ADAPTATIONS Central Idea Over time living things need to change in order to survive Key Concepts: Change, Connection Related Concepts: Adaptation, Evolution Lines of Inquiry: Concept of adaptation Circumstances that lead to adaptation How plants and animals adapt or respond to environmental conditions
10-11 Grade 5	BECOMING ME Central Idea The choices I make about what I do, how I act, and what I believe contribute to who I am and who I will become Key Concepts: Reflection, Responsibility, Causation Related Concepts: Citizenship, initiative, review Lines of Inquiry: Positive choices and behaviors people can make Systems, methods, sources of assistance Impact of society on the choices we make	ON THE MOVE Central Idea Human migration is a response to challenge, risks and opportunities Key Concepts: Causation, Change, Perspective Related Concepts: Population, settlement Lines of Inquiry: Reasons why people migrate Migration throughout history Effects of migration on communities, cultures and individuals	ARTISTS Central Idea: We can use art to express who we are and what we believe Key Concepts: Function, perspective, responsibility Related Concepts: Opinion, rights, expression Lines of Inquiry: Types of art Influence of art Process of art	AIR, LIGHT AND SOUND Central Idea Understanding the properties of air light and sound allows people to make practical applications. Key Concepts: Function, Causation Related Concepts: Lines of Inquiry: Relationship between air, light and sound Individual properties of air, light and sound Effect that air, light and sound have	GOVERNMENT Central Idea: Government systems and decisions can promote or deny equal opportunities and social justice Key Concepts Perspective, Form, responsibility Related Concepts: Rights, Governments Lines of Inquiry: Government systems Responsibilities of governments Impact of government on our lives	Exhibition