Implementing Inquiry in Biology Classrooms http://tinyurl.com/TUHSD-Signin-913

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Our TUHSD Vision: Learning today, leading tomorrow. Three Interconnected Practices High functioning PLCs that use data and support student achievement Guaranteed viable curriculum, instruction and assessment  Staff and student support and training  Review foundational beliefs with all stake holders – recommended slide Do iT with PRIDE

Management Instruction Every classroom has a greeting before students enter the room Clearly stated rules are posted and followed Specific plans for technology for learning are communicated and followed Every student has a caring adult who connects with them each period Instruction Lesson plans are prepared for each lesson taught with Elements of Instruction in mind Each lesson has the State Standards posted and the learning objective communicated Execution of lesson shows students’ visible authentic engagement in the lesson

Introductions John Naylor Brandon VanBibber University High School Pre-AP Bio, AP Bio, AP Environmental Science Brandon VanBibber Pre-AP Bio and Anatomy and Physiology

Reflection Take out a piece of paper and answer the following: What is inquiry based instruction? How have you conducted inquiry based teaching in the past? Were these lessons successful? What measure do you have of their success?

Why Inquiry Based Instruction? Three developments that challenge traditional approaches to learning The movement from an industrial economy to a knowledge based economy The rise of new technologies an digital networks Advances in the learning sciences See: Friesen, S., & David, S. (2013). Inquiry based learning: a review of the literature. Alberta Ministry of Education.

Goal of Inquiry Based Instruction To create a learning structure in which students are encouraged and enabled to achieve academically. Long-Term retention of information Enjoy Learning Challenging Create capacity for growth Prepare students for a changing world

What is Inquiry Based Instruction Characteristics: Student/Learner centered Cognitively active. Students learn “by doing” Discussion, investigation, etc. Student directed (self-directed) to encourage responsibility and accountability Founded in constructivism Students construct their own meaning of reality Students create their own knowledge Social See: Spronken-Smith, Rachel. (2007). Experiencing the process of knowledge creation: the nature and use of inquiry-based learning in higher education.

What does this look like in Science Classrooms?

There are 4 levels of Inquiry Confirmation Students confirm a principle through an activity when answers are known in advance Structured Students investigate a teacher-presented question through a prescribed procedure Guided Students investigate a teacher-presented question using student designed/selected procedures Open Students investigate student formulated questions through student designed procedures

What will we be doing today? Practice inquiry lesson We will pause momentarily to reflect on teaching practices and think about how we can apply practices in our own classrooms

What does this graph tell us? Red = Maximum model levels of oxygen Green = Lowest model of predicted oxygen Question: What occurred to create oxygen in our atmosphere 2.4 billion years ago?

Photosynthesis!!! Q: What are the products of photosynthesis?

Reflection How can we create an experiment to measure the rate of photosynthesis? What do we want to keep constant? What variables do we want to isolate? Today: We are going to explore is carbon dioxide levels effect the rate of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis Lab

How can you maximize effectiveness? Scaffold Begin at “guided” and move towards “open” Use formative assessments Utilize powerful, critical and essential questions See: Friesen, S., & David, S. (2013). Inquiry based learning: a review of the literature. Alberta Ministry of Education.

Closure What level of inquiry was this lab today? How can you modify this lab to implement other levels of inquiry? Create an alternative experimental design to meet the level of your students.

Survey http://tinyurl.com/TUHSDPD9-13