Unit 5

PYP 7 begins a new Unit of inquiry

Central idea:

Humans have adapted to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions in order to survive.

Lines of inquiry:

• The range of geographical and climatic conditions and their causes.

• How humans have adapted and settled in different environments.

• How human development affects the environment

Last week we introduced our new central idea and lines of inquiry. We began with a lively provocation where students had an opportunity to research about an extreme climate and come up with a list of 5 items that they would need if they were to go there. This provocation stimulated a lot of conversation connected to our central idea and lead to several meaningful questions that we will use throughout the coming weeks. We then moved to unpacking the concept of adaptation and students shared their prior knowledge, opinions and ideas. We were amazed with their awareness and experience with the concept. Later on in the week, we began investigating features of maps together with climate zones. This week students will continue to investigate into climatic factors that occur in different climate zones.

Students working on maps with Claim, Support, Question. 

Students feeling deflated while preparing for their trip to the wettest place in the world. 

Students finding facts about the features of a map.

In Maths, we continued our work with mental maths,  percents and fractions, and metric conversions. Next week, data management!

In Language, students wrote texts of their choice that were linked to the central idea. They experimented with Haiku poetry and developing their settings, expanded noun phrases and prefixes. Students continue to work on their stamina when writing, their ability to edit texts independently, and their own personal targets.

Last week was fulfilling and rich with learning opportunities. Way to go PYP 7!

Keep on asking those questions!