Science, History and Geography

Teams of teachers work collaboratively to create dynamic integrated inquiry based units of learning. These inquiries are based on the Australian Curriculum (Science, Humanities and Social Sciences) and are connected to the students' interests and essential skills and understandings that we believe are critical for students to work towards during their time at Fraser. These units provide a valuable context for students to display their understanding, knowledge and skills. Students are involved in differentiated activities that are intellectually demanding and connected to the world beyond the classroom.

Science inquiries are based on Primary Connections units which align with the Australian Curriculum.  As with the history and geography curriculum, the skills span across two year levels (eg year 1 and 2) and thus our planning for the inquiries supports the odd and even year concept.  Some curriculum areas will have a greater focus (extended inquiry or mini inquiry), however, all curriculum areas will be taught each semester.  An inquiring classroom focus is on learning to learn alongside learning about the 'big ideas' that help us to make sense of the world.

Effective inquiry...

• works in ways that challenges students to think more deeply more of the time,
• teaches students about thinking,
• deliberately provokes curiosity and wonderment,
• invites students' voices into the learning process,
• helps students make connections between the 'known' and the 'new',
• explicitly teaches the skills and processes used by researchers,
• ensures that students have the 'bigger picture',
• 'let kids in' on the secret,
• focuses as much on process as they do on content.