Creating an Active Learning environment Using Inquiry and Primary Sources

What is Inquiry? A process of learning that is driven by questioning, thoughtful investigating, making sense of information, and developing new understanding Cyclical in nature Goal is not accumulation of information. Instead it is exploration of significant questions and deep learning

I’m Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad Connect Connect to self, previous knowledge Gain background and context Identify key concepts, themes, and vocabulary Observe, experience I’m Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad

Wonder Develop questions Make predictions

What sources would you look for? Investigate Use questions and background knowledge to develop search strategy Find, evaluate, and select sources Find and evaluate information to answer questions, test hypotheses Identify main ideas and supporting evidence Seek multiple perspectives Think about the information to illuminate new questions and hypotheses What sources would you look for?

Construct Construct new understandings connected to previous knowledge Draw conclusions about questions and hypotheses

Express Apply understandings to a new context, new situation Express new ideas to share learning with others

Reflect Reflect on own learning Ask new questions

Reflection Techniques Progress log, journals Self-reflection questions Oral reflections Peer review and feedback

Literacy and Inquiry in Middle School Moving from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” Find information Determine main points and supporting ideas Analyze an argument

Literacy and Inquiry in High School Reading multiple perspectives Weighing evidence Evaluating arguments Making judgments

Using Inquiry to Teach Social Studies Background information is essential Need to see multiple perspectives Address students’ misconceptions Evaluate sources Primary sources are essential Evaluation of specific information and evidence Examine evidence critically Use of graphic organizers for note-taking and organizing information Reflection as key component Identify text structure Availability of a library is key to inquiry

Using Inquiry to Teach English/Language arts Thinking skills Questioning, finding main ideas and details, summarizing, interpreting, making inferences, determining importance of ideas, identifying author’s purpose, synthesizing Each step of inquiry is important but not essential in every assignment Recognize and derive meaning from different text structures Use of graphic organizers to analyze text

How do I create a culture of Inquiry in My classroom? Role of student – ask questions and seek new understanding Lead students to hypothesize, explore, reflect, and make meaning Role of teacher – provokers and guides of student learning; interact with students and mediate the environment