The purpose of this unit is to develop an understanding of the theme:

Sharing the PlanetAn inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

Central Idea:Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems(By the end of the unit students need to be able to prove this with solid evidence)

Teacher Questions:What does it mean to "share" the planet?

Why should we care?

UNIT OF INQUIRYCANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HONG KONG WWW.CDNIS.EDU.HK

TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL CITIZENS THROUGH ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Grade 4

Key Concepts: Connection - What is the connection between organisms within ecosystems? What is the connection between the Central Idea and the Transdisciplinary Theme?

Causation - What causes ecosystems to break down? Responsibility - What is my personal responsibility? What is the responsibility of others?

Related Concepts: Balance, Biodiversity, Interdependence

An inquiry into:

Interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and biomesHow human interaction with the environment can affect biodiversityThe consequences of imbalance within ecosystems

Enduring Understanding: Human actions have an impact on the environment

What can happen when foreign species are introduced to a biome?

Attributes

Are we...Caring for the environment appropriately?

Principled in how we interact with the environment?

Attitudes

Do we..

Respect the many organisms we interact with?

Show Appreciation for nature?

FACT, NOT FICTION!

★Japanese timber imports are responsible for much of the world’s tropical deforestation

90% of the coral reefs in the Philippines are threatened!

Indonesia’s coral reefs are negatively affected by tourism.

Unit Vocabulary:biodiversity, biome, rely, balance, ecosystems interdependence, organism, maintain, systems, connection, causation, actions, impact, environment,

Knowledge: ✤Interdependence of organisms within particular ecosystems✤Examples of situations where humans have been responsible for major environmental issues

What can you do at home to help?•Read different texts related to the Central Idea (books, magazines, newspapers, videos, TV shows, ...)•Discuss why it is important that ecosystems maintain balance•Review the vocabulary for the unit on a regular basis•Inform us if you see your child INITIATING any positive action

related to the unit•Encourage your child to find and then take photographs of things in

the environment that: - they appreciate - they see as a threat to the interdependence of ecosystems - show what measures have been taken to preserve the

environment

Remember: It is important that students independently investigate issues that interest them!

Taking Action!!-investigating issues that affect biodiversity in Hong Kong-making personal choices based on how the interconnectedness of organisms will be affected-asking questions and seeking solutions

★Much of Australia’s range and cropland has turned to desert.