Inquiry Circles Helen Dukhan and Rose Schreier District 68 Library Media Specialists Summer 2011

Agenda Introduction What are Inquiry Circles? Why Inquiry Circles? Reading Comprehension in Inquiry Collaboration How the Inquiry Circle Model Works Mini-Inquiry Activity Management & Assessment Issues Wrap-up

Breaking it Down…

What are Inquiry Circles? Small, flexible groupsheterogeneous, nonleveled Similar to lit circles--students choose topic or question to explore related to curriculum (or not!) Complex or authentic topics that are meaningful Teachers model comprehension strategies & social skills Go beyond fact-finding Kids make connections, ask questions, synthesize information, acquire knowledge Can be matched/ backmapped to state/district standards Draw upon multiple, multigenre, multimedia sources

Projects that workreal purpose & audience Transforms classroom from lecture hall to researchers workshop Build upon kids curiosity Student is knowledge creator Research can be a fun, dynamic process Research is central to making informed decisions in daily life Frequency matters! Promotes collaboration, responsibility & strategic thinking Why Inquiry Circles?

Reading Comprehension Strategies Reading is thinking Summarizing Creating Images Synthesizing Making Connections Prior Knowledge Inferring Monitor Comprehension Questioning

Comprehension Continuum Answers Retelling Merges Thinking Acquires Actively Literal Questions with Content Knowledge Uses Knowledge

Principles of Great Readers Reading Principles: The more you read, the better you read. Response Principles: Learners must have opportunities to respond to their reading every day by talking, writing, and drawing about their thinking. Instruction Principles: Readers need explicit instruction in the strategies to decode text.

Benefits of Small-Group Work Lifelike Generates energy for challenging work We are smarter. Diversity is an asset. Makes engaged, interactive learning possible Allows for differentiated instruction Employers require small-group skills. Enhances student achievement Photo credit: asalleyakima.com

Collaboration & Social Strategies 1. Be responsible to the group 2. Listen actively 3. Speak up 4. Share the air and encourage others 5. Support your views and findings 6. Show tolerance and respect 7. Reflect and correct

NBA Standings

Creating Group Ground Rules How will your team work together? How will you solve any problems that arise? Have kids brainstorm 8-12 suggestions & list them on a chart: Do what you promise Bring all materials Join in the discussions Help others in the group Allow students to select which ground they want to adopt for their group, and list them on a chart or form Students should consider how they will handle a non- cooperative member Approve each groups final selection.

Types of Inquiries Mini Inquiry: short term, lets students search for information relatively quickly Curricular Inquiry: content and concepts determined by state standards, district curriculum or teacher planning Open Inquiry: kid-driven inquiry Literature Circle Inquiry: small, peer-led reading discussion groups

Small-Group Inquiry Model Stage: 1 Immerse Invite curiosity, build background, find topics, and wonder Stage: 2 Investigate Develop questions, search for information and discover answers Stage: 3 Coalesce Intensify research, synthesize information, and build knowledge Stage: 4 Go Public Share learning, demonstrate understanding, take action

The Teachers Role in Inquiry Models own inquiry process Keeps research notebook Encourages authentic questions Exemplifies and celebrates curiositythe heart of inquiry- based learning Shares examples of how inquiry happens in the real world Assists students in locating, organizing and using resources Connects curriculum to group inquiry whenever possible Monitors, meets, confers, observes, responds, assesses Formative, ongoing assessment Supports kids in taking action beyond the classroom Not a time to grade papers!

Research NotebooksWonder Books Spiral notebooks with inside pockets Inside pockets help store collectibles: articles, photos, maps, charts, etc. Stores research Formative assessment--building portfolio Model your own research notebook: use it to organize your thoughts/questions/findings, frequently review its contents, etc. Notebook also contains a wonder list

Librarians Role in Inquiry Circles: How We Can Help You! Display an array of sources for students Can begin with print materials: show visual and text features (charts, graphs, maps, photos, etc.) Proceed to Internet resources, blogs and web pages Videos are excellent resources Discuss helpfulness of index & table of contents Guided practice: How to determine appropriateness of source(s),printer flu, internet safety Can help pre-select resources for younger grades Be ready to confer and assist individuals and groups

Text Codes For something known LFor new learning ? For a question ?? For confusion For important information ! For exciting or surprising information RFor a connection (Reminds me…)

A mosquito (say: mus-kee-toe) is an insect that is found all over the world. There are thousands of different kinds of mosquitoes in many different sizes and colors. The female mosquito needs blood from vertebrates (animals that have a spine) to lay eggs and produce more mosquitoes. She has a special part of her mouth that she uses to suck blood, and her saliva (spit) thins the blood so she can drink it. In fact, it's the mosquito's saliva that makes the bites itch! L ?

Assessing Thinking and Understanding Listen to kids Read kids work Confer with kids Listen in on conversation Observe behavior and expressions Chart responses Use available technology Keep anecdotal records of conferences and conversations Script what kids say

Ensuring Individual Accountability Define the concept first Keep the group small Use written work plans and checkpoints Make grading standards clear Observe group meetings Have checkup conference with individual kids

Management Management Tool: Making and Using a Work Plan What kids can do during inquiry time: 1) Read to themselves 2) Read to each other 3) Conduct research online or print 4) Respond in writing or drawing 5) Respond by talking 6) Develop interview questions 7) Maintain your research notebook 8) Plan to actively use knowledge and take action