Questioning the World in the Elementary School
Questions are a window into our world. If the role of school is to help prepare our children to understand, shape and grow the world of tomorrow, then questions are the only way to do this. For, it is only when young minds start to puzzle, wonder, imagine and explore that children can begin to identify with the world around them and come to see themselves as an agent for change in that world. Explore with us some of the questions our NIS learners are wondering about, right now…..
![Girls conducting an experiment on matter using a PET bottle]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1633483687/nagoya/igrnvbt48pnoihwxa4wz/topimage.jpg","width":2200}])
Gr. 5 students are exploring matter in their science unit as part of the Unit of Inquiry "How the World Works." They started by exploring what solids, liquids, and gases are and discussed atoms and molecules. They learned solids, liquids, and gases are...
![Q: What can we do to save animals from extinction?]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1626150055/nagoya/vzb83kojbaqjqppy9d3j/endangeredspecies2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1626150055/nagoya/vzb83kojbaqjqppy9d3j/endangeredspecies2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1626150055/nagoya/vzb83kojbaqjqppy9d3j/endangeredspecies2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1626150055/nagoya/vzb83kojbaqjqppy9d3j/endangeredspecies2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1626150055/nagoya/vzb83kojbaqjqppy9d3j/endangeredspecies2.jpg","width":1530}])
Gr. 1 students were inquiring into living things, and what they need to survive, for their UOI “Sharing the Planet.” They inquired about what plants and animals need to survive, and...
![Boys and girls choosing books to buy during book sale event]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1625209564/nagoya/mwyk2it1yjn5yolwodcn/G3market.jpg","width":2200}])
The traditional Grade 3 Market Day took a twist this year when the Grade 3s identified a big problem - their classroom libraries...
![Boys and girls floating a small boat in a basin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1618978317/nagoya/hjbwf220a6zyyh3jfyrs/g1materialtop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1618978317/nagoya/hjbwf220a6zyyh3jfyrs/g1materialtop.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1618978317/nagoya/hjbwf220a6zyyh3jfyrs/g1materialtop.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1618978317/nagoya/hjbwf220a6zyyh3jfyrs/g1materialtop.jpg","width":1000}])
In their UOI “How the World Works,” Gr. 1 students explored the various properties of different materials and why we use certain materials for specific purposes...
![Grade four students raising hands toward a teacher standing at the podium in a class about democracy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1600750999/nagoya/qn5qqz1gfqmtskwopmy5/democracy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1600750999/nagoya/qn5qqz1gfqmtskwopmy5/democracy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1600750999/nagoya/qn5qqz1gfqmtskwopmy5/democracy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1600750999/nagoya/qn5qqz1gfqmtskwopmy5/democracy.jpg","width":1000}])
Democracy, what is it? What is it in the context of the wider world, in our individual countries, and even in our classrooms?...
![Q: How can we engage audiences and convey feelings through storytelling?]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1578978488/nagoya/cntri0el5puixy6ek5qb/g1story.jpg","width":1864}])
Gr. 1 students wondered about storytelling....and as they inquired, and after welcoming many storytellers into their classroom, they discovered many various ...
![Q: How do our lives connect to historical events?]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1539240768/nagoya/erb59zscaund00apmazz/g2historyfront.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1539240768/nagoya/erb59zscaund00apmazz/g2historyfront.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1539240768/nagoya/erb59zscaund00apmazz/g2historyfront.jpg","width":619}])
In their UOI “Events and Experiences Shape Our Personal History”, the Gr. 2 students have been looking at what has shaped their personal histories. Then they started to look further afield: "What is history?" "How have world events made our lives possible?” "How do our lives connect to a bigger historical narrative?"
![Q: What human right is the most important to you?]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1533117189/nagoya/onfg3dbkrzqgvxwi9skr/180801rights.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1533117189/nagoya/onfg3dbkrzqgvxwi9skr/180801rights.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1533117189/nagoya/onfg3dbkrzqgvxwi9skr/180801rights.jpg","width":619}])
The 3rd graders began looking at our rights as students and the responsibilities that come with these rights. If we have the right to not be bullied, then don't we also have the responsibility to stand up to bullies, to not bully others and to ensure that others are not bullied?
![Serious-faced kids staring at an adult’s hand as it mixes dirt in a pet bottle with a shovel]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1536806640/nagoya/krcb30jrpvxh6phhefrm/recycle.jpg","width":2200}])
For their unit on Sharing the Planet which focused on human actions that impact the environment, the grade 2 students conducted a trash audit. The students discovered that most of the trash was actually recyclable.They wondered - what will happen to all these recyclable materials when they are taken away in the yellow trash bags that the school uses? Could we find a better way to do this?