CONCEPTSTaken from the PYP
|
What do we want the students to be able to understand?
|
Form
What is it like?
|
Most things have a form or shape with an outward manifestation and an internal structure. |
function
How does it work?
|
The special activities, properties or purposes, natural or endowed, of a creature or thing |
causation
Why is it like this?
|
The effect brought about by an intended or unintended action or reaction |
change
How is it changing?
|
The effect brought about by an intended or unintended action or reaction |
CONNection
How is it connected to other things? |
The world is full of interacting systems that depend on each other to form a working whole. |
PERSpective
What are the points of view? |
Events and findings can be interpreted differently, depending on knowledge, experience and motives. The difference between empirically proven facts and supposition must be emphasized. |
Responsibility
What is our responsibility? |
We have a responsibility to the world in which we live. This involves being aware of how scientific knowledge can be used to improve or worsen the quality life of all living things. Responsibility entails action as well as awareness. |
reflection
How do we know?
|
We must consciously reflect on, and be able to describe, how we gain our knowledge and develop our attitudes. |
KNOWLEDGEFrom ACARA, sorted into PYP Categories
|
What do we want the students to be able to know?
|
Living things
KindergartenLiving things have basic needs including food and water.
|
PreschoolLiving things have a variety of different features that enable them to live in different places.
|
earth and space
KindergartenDaily seasonal changes in our environment including the weather affect everyday life.
|
PreschoolObservable changes occur in the sky and landscape.
|
materials and matter
KindergartenObjects are made of materials that have observable properties.
|
PreschoolEveryday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways.
|
FORCES and energy
KindergartenThe way objects move depends on a variety of factors including their size and shape.
|
PreschoolLight and sound can be produced by a range of sources and can be sensed.
|
SKILLSTaken from PYP (General) and ACARA (Grade level) Descriptions
|
What do we want the students to be able to do?
|
Observation
PYP General Description:
Observe carefully in order to gather data
Observe carefully in order to gather data
KindergartenDevelop their observational skills through exploring and observing the world using senses.
|
PreschoolDevelop their observational skills by using their senses to gather and record information.
|
data collection
PYP General Description:
Use a variety of instruments and tools to measure data accurately
Use a variety of instruments and tools to measure data accurately
KindergartenGather and record information, using methods such as drawing to represent ideas.
|
PreschoolUse their observations to identify patterns and make predictions including drawings and provided tables.
|
SCientific language
PYP General Description:
Use scientific vocabulary to explain their observations and experiences
Use scientific vocabulary to explain their observations and experiences
KindergartenRespond to questions about familiar objects and events.
|
PreschoolThrough discussion compare observations with predictions by using their own scientific experience.
|
inquiry
PYP General Description:
Identify or generate a question or problem to be explored
Identify or generate a question or problem to be explored
investigation
PYP General Description:
Plan and carry out systematic investigations, manipulating variables as necessary
Plan and carry out systematic investigations, manipulating variables as necessary
Kindergarten |
Preschool |
Use their senses to explore and observe.
|
Explore the way objects and phenomena function, identify parts of a system and gain an understanding of cause and effect relationships.
|
prediction
PYP General Description:
Make and test predictions
Make and test predictions
Kindergarten |
Preschool |
Respond to questions about familiar objects and events.
|
Respond to and pose questions, and make predications about familiar objects and events.
|
interpretation
PYP General Description:
Interpret and evaluate data gathered in order to draw conclusions
Interpret and evaluate data gathered in order to draw conclusions
Kindergarten |
Preschool |
Identify simple patterns through discussion.
|
Examine change over varying time periods, and recognize that more than one variable may affect change.
|
MODelling
PYP General Description:
Consider scientific models and applications of these models (including their limitations)
Consider scientific models and applications of these models (including their limitations)