When I think about inquiry learning I think about students
asking questions to find out more information on the current topic the teacher
is explaining. But inquiry based
learning is so much more. I’ve added my
own words in the tagxedo below to give you a glimpse into what I’m thinking
inquiry based learning is all about.
In the article this week by Neil Stephenson, we read about
inquiry based learning and the eight principles that guide teachers as they
introduce inquiry based learning into their classroom. Those eight principles are: authenticity, deep understanding,
performances of learning, assessment, technology, expertise, success, ethical
citizenship.
When I think about the upcoming mini-lesson assignment I think I want to do a 3rd grade
social studies theme. I have been
working on a lot of resources based on the following third grade social studies
standards.
SS3H2 The student will discuss the lives of Americans who
expanded people’s rights and freedoms in a democracy.
As I look at the eight
principles of inquiry learning my thoughts are as follows:
1.
Authenticity - In thinking about this concept I have to
relate the historical figures to names
in today’s world by asking the following questions.
a.
Do you know anyone that served in the
military? Remember the veteran’s day
program we had at school last November?
Did any of your grandparents attend?
Do you know who Martin Luther King is?
2.
Deep Understanding - I just don’t want my students to learn the information
I share with them I want to provide other resources that they can learn from.
3.
Performances of
learning – I want my students to share the information they have learned with
their peers this can be done through classroom group discussion or with the
use of technology.
4.
Assessment – I want
students to tell me something they learned by using both formative and
summative assessments.
5.
Technology – I want
my students to be able to use technology to share what they have
learned. This can be done with a blog
and online presentation.
6.
Expertise – In the
Benton community we have a local historian that visits our school
regularly. She shares stories from her
childhood and stories that her parents have passed down to her. She can provide some expertise on all the
topic included in my third grade standard.
7.
Success – Goals
set by 3rd graders might not be what I would want them to be. But with my guidance I think the 3rd
graders could set some goals about assignments and expectations.
8.
Ethical
Citizenship – This past year I have been involved in introducing students to
digital citizenship and real world citizenship. I will continue this during this school
year.
|
I think your topic is great. For each element, I feel that you have definitely implemented the right set of ideas for each one. Using both formative and summative assessments is a great way to find out exactly what each student has learned throughout the project. After reading over these eight elements, I truly feel that this will be very helpful to me in the future. The breakdown of each element is not only helpful to my students, it will help me also in the future.
ReplyDelete