Inquiry Learning in English Language Arts

What is inquiry learning?

Education begins with curiosity

Inquiry is a study into a worthy question, issue, problem or idea Inquiry is a study into a worthy question, issue, problem or idea. It is the authentic, real work that that someone in the community might tackle. It is the type of work that those working in the disciplines actually undertake to create or build knowledge. Therefore, inquiry involves serious engagement and investigation and the active creation and testing of new knowledge with a final step of deep reflection regarding “lesson learned”. Source: http://galileo.org/teachers/designing-learning/articles/what-is-inquiry/

Inquiry Model- what is inquiry?

Why learn through inquiry?

It promotes thinking It is relevant to your future It is student centered Because it is more interesting

It may be that traditional education will start becoming more and more like inquiry-based learning over time. Why? Because an inquiry-based approach is more web- like in how students pursue knowledge, as opposed to the linear, vertical and compartmentalized structure of traditional education. As the web-like Internet increasingly permeates society and education, the traditional structures will have to adapt to the forms of the new media Source: http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/general-info/our-approach/intro-inquiry-learning/intro- inquiry-learning

Inquiry in English Language Arts Is driven by questions of interest regarding the human condition Questions are student driven Emphasizes asking good researchable questions Requires ongoing reflection and information compiling Connections, connections, connections Reflects on learning as a key piece of understanding A better understanding of the world and life lessons

Step one Building the capacity for understanding: What is the human condition? (Planning- part one)

What is the "human condition"? The "human condition" is an important part of our understanding of literature. Literary critics often label a piece of writing as literature - and not pulp fiction - if it tries to describe this "human condition." Essentially, the discussion of the human condition is any thematic concern about human nature, human society or how we live our lives. In other words, it's about the fundamental issues of human existence. One of literature's central concerns is to comment on these issues; it might be better at it than psychology or philosophy!

If you are asked to make a theme statement about a piece of writing, the easiest way to identify a theme is to look for some challenge to the human condition. Look for common problems that any person - you included - might face sometime in his or her life. So let's be more specific. What kind of issues connected to "human nature, human society or how we live our lives" are we talking about? Well, it can mean MANY different things! Here are a few examples that come to mind:

How We Live Our Lives How do we bring up our children? How does one manage stress and expectations? How does one cope with loss? What leads to happiness?

Human Nature Are we naturally evil or good? Are we born with inherited traits or are we a "blank slate"? How does one express their identity with confidence? What makes a good leader?

Human Society -What's the best way to live together? -Should we care for the weak and poor, or let them fend for themselves? -Is civilization positive or negative? -How should society treat the environment?

What makes us human? As a group, brainstorm the answer to the above question. Eg. Our need to give and receive love

Step Two: Constructing essential questions using illustrated children’s books (Planning- part two)

Possible information sources to create questions You will be reading children’s books to create theme statements that can be transformed into deep inquiry questions.

You will read three children’s books in your group, describe the plot, determine the conflict, create a theme and formulate a question

What does an inquiry question look like? How do we cope with loss? How does a person’s actions impact others? How can a person face the struggles of the past? Why is loneliness a difficult emotion to overcome? How does one alleviate loneliness? Why is it important to help others? How can we overcome tragic events? How can we stop being victims of bullying?

Step three: How do we answer our question? The exploration of texts, film, media and discussion (Retrieving Information)

Information Collection We will read poems, short stories, a novel, newspaper articles, blogs, non-fiction, TEDtalks and watch films and youtube throughout the semester For each relevant assignment, you will be required to collect the information needed to answer your question by completing a worksheet that compiles your notes. You will be asked to keep these notes in a file labelled “Inquiry: Information Collection” on your desktop.

Working towards the final product (Processing) Step four Working towards the final product (Processing)

Processing and organizing the information Choose the question you would like to answer from the inquiry questions generated at the beginning of the semester and explored through the semester Very few questions stay the same during this process- this is the time to revise and review your question to fit your curiosity Choose the pertinent information Record information Make connections and inferences Review and revise the plan for inquiry Create a story board for final project

Making the final project (Creating and Sharing) Step five Making the final project (Creating and Sharing)

You will create a 10-15 minute video that answers your question based on the information collected in class This project will take 2-3 weeks of class It is individual or in a group It must be a video All group members will participate There will be revising and editing

Sharing All projects will be presented in front of the class in the final days of the semester. It is imperative that you are here for this stage of the process

Assessment and Reflection (Evaluating) Step Six Assessment and Reflection (Evaluating)

There will be self assessments and reflections Review and revise personal inquiry model (what would you do differently?) Transfer learning to new situations beyond school