In Years 1 and 2, the boys have started their 5th Unit of Inquiry and they are learning about the transdisciplinary theme ‘How the world works’.  The central idea is about how Earth is a dynamic environment which changes in response to patterns in nature. The first line of inquiry which we have been examining is all about natural disasters. We have explored different types of natural disasters and the changes that occur in the Earth’s surface. We have discovered how continents sit on tectonic plates and the impact of their movement.

The second line of inquiry is about the key concept causation (why is it like it is?) where we will be inquiring into the effects of the weather and natural phenomena on the Earth. We will be looking for patterns in the weather and reading the data on meteorology sites.

Finally we will be looking at the concept, connection, and how humans impact the Earth’s surface. The boys will be exploring global warming – what humans are doing to the Earth’s surface and how can we protect it from happening.

The related concepts which underpin this unit of inquiry are cycles, patterns, cause and effect.  The boys have been enjoying some hands-on science experiments like seeing how a volcano works and the impact of the movement in an earthquake.

Sam Watson and Leonie Russell – Stage 1 Teachers