Unit of Inquiry

How the World Works

Subject Focus:
Mathematics, Science , Language

Vocabulary

Central idea:

Star, Solar System, Planet, Sun,

Revolution, Hemisphere, Seasons,
Satellite, Orbit, Reflection, Cycle, Phase,
Axis, Cyclical, Rotation, Space
Exploration, Comet, Meteor, Gases

The Earth is part of an immense system called the universe.

An inquiry into:

The relationship between Earth and celestial bodies in

our solar system
What our solar system consists of
Properties of the solar system
The position of Earth in the solar system and its impact

Key Concepts:
Form, Change, Reflection

Related Concepts:
Systems, Space, Exploration

At Home:
Research with your child
the different planets,
their characteristics and
what they consist of.

Transdisciplinary Skills:
Observing, Interpreting data

Learner Profile:
Knowledgeable, Communicator

Attitudes:
Enthusiasm, Integrity

Be aware of any new

space related news and
discuss with your child.
Try to think of ways to
express the enormous
distances between Earth
and other bodies in our
solar system.

Goal:
To explore, research further and
present one aspect of the solar
system or the properties of the
planets.
Role: You are going to become
the expert in your field and will
present your findings creatively
to an audience.
Audience: Grade 5 parents,
Grade 4 students
All parents will be invited to view
the displays and the experts
will be there to answer any
question they may have.
Teachers at this time will assess
the students on their display and
knowledge of their topic using a
co constructed checklist.

Here are the curriculum strands that will be covered over this Unit of Inquiry:
Language:

Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported
by key details; summarize the text.
Consult reference materials (dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) both print and
digital to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of
key words and phrases.

Reading:

Consult reference materials (dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) both print and

digital to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of
key words and phrases.
Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and
phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding,
rereading as necessary.
Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow-up on information and
make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of
others.
Apply grade 5 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., Explain how an
author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text,
identifying which reasons and evidence support which point[s]).

Writing:

Report on a topic or text, or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using
appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable
pace.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the
topic.
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events
precisely.

Math:

Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times

as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in
the place to its left.

Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number
by powers of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when
a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10.

Science:

Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length

and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some
stars in the night sky
Ask questions that can be investigated and predict reasonable outcomes based
on patterns such as cause and effect relationships.