Kindergarten enjoyed their fifth unit of inquiry where they inquired into the transdisciplinary theme, How the World Works. They investigated the central idea, ‘Understanding materials and their properties determines how people use them’.

In this unit students explored the concepts of form, function and change. To explore the concept of form, the Kindergarten boys inquired into different types of materials and their properties. They explored how materials are used for specific purposes (function) and they looked at the changing properties of materials. Hands-on experiences, such as conducting a variety of science experiments helped formulate understanding of the properties of different materials and how they change.

The boys developed their thinking and research skills by observing and recording and they communicated knowledge and understandings orally and through writing and drawing. One of the attitudes that was developed in this unit was ‘curiosity’.

Stage 1 boys have explored the same transdisciplinary theme – How the world works, and they have done a number of experiments to learn about light and sound using torches, shadows and prisms, just to name a few that we completed. They have learnt how light and sound are a form of energy and how it is used in our everyday lives. The boys have conducted surveys to discover the lights and sounds used at school. The Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 boys had the pleasure of seeing the Jollybops Science Show where they learnt about the different types of energy and how it is used. The show was a wonderful introduction to scientific literacy and terminology.

Belinda Smallhorn, Sam Watson, Leonie Russell – Junior Primary Teachers