Explore Asia at the Zoo Planning a unit of work around bamboo. Jennifer Brown-Omichi Project Officer National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) Catholic Education Commission Victoria

Inquiry Based Learning – Why do it? Independent and engaged learners – Success for all learners Develops problem solving and creative thinking skills problem solving, reasoning skills, generating hypotheses and explanations. understanding in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, art and architecture, and technology. Requires application of knowledge They learn more deeply Connecting and making links with the world and others

Project-based learning is a process of generating meaningful questions using background and prior knowledge utilizing information resources learning to work in a group managing time sustaining motivation facing setbacks reflecting evaluating track and defend their thinking connect the learning to the original plan.

How to plan an inquiry unit: Identify the action Identify the concepts, understandings and skills Tuning In Activities – prior knowledge Finding Out Activities – What are the possible effects the action may have on people, animals, places, environments Provide opportunities for students to work in groups and organise, locate and sort out information. Provide resources, materials and time to work on the action Provide opportunity for groups to reflect and share their knowledge and journey.

Asking thought provoking questions The questions you ask should help students to focus on their direction and formulate their own questions and understandings.

Tuning in What do you know about….? What would you like to learn more about? Why? Where could you find this information? What is your plan for finding this out?

Finding Out What questions have been answered? Do you have any new questions? Who can help you with your questions?

Sorting Out Do you have all of the information you need? What are the key/important ideas? How will you record this information? How will you organise this information?

Reflection Why do you think we looked at this question/topic? What was the most interesting thing you discovered through this research? What challenged you the most? What are you proud of?

Action How will you use this information in your everyday life? What do you want to do as a result of your learning? Who else needs to know about your learning? What will you do with this?

Whole school based approach What are the benefits of getting teachers in other areas involved?

Task: Tuning In Identify key uses of bamboo. Try to write down specific themes and ideas which relate to bamboo in each area of the curriculum.

Visual Stimulus – Bamboo objects Planning – Tuning In What questions will you ask? What will you need to know? Who will be involved in these discussions How will you ensure success for all students? What is your action plan? How will you assess as (self/peer assessment), for (what do I need to do to engage each student according to their needs), of (summative), learning

Assessment tasks – what is your focus? Presentation – relevant? Organisation – gathering and sorting information Questioning – thoughtful, clear, effective Keep a journal - plus, minus, interesting scale Interviews – audio or film creating an expert Graphic organisers Reflection on tasks – peer and self evaluation, audio or film production Range of resources used Group worker and sharer Vs independent learner

Your ideas and questions?

Thank you for attending Jennifer Brown-Omichi Catholic Education Office Melbourne