T.I.P.S. Inquiry Institute Ashlye V. Rumph-Geddis Ph.D. Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant

Group Conversation  We are going to begin today’s segment with a group conversation. Please answer the two following questions in your group.

Group Conversations Q: Which of these actions will help keep your home the coolest in the summer?  opening and closing the refrigerator a lot  turning off the tv, computer, radios, games, etc.  opening the windows during the day  closing the shades or blinds over the windows Q: You see your reflection in a mirror because:  light is absorbed  light is diffracted  light is reflected  light is refracted

Please stand…  If you received an item from me during your group conversation time.

Please share  What were you all doing when I came by?

Common Fears/Concerns:  Teachers don’t want to lose control of the classroom  Managing behaviors during projects  Keeping students on task  Lack of time for inquiry projects  Lack of human and physical resources  Require additional time with planning  Refer to the article Teaching Against the Grain for additional information.

Class Activity  All of you have a set of cards on your tables. With your group members, put the cards in order so that the pictures tell a story. Please be sure you can justify your choices based on evidence from the cards.

Activity Reflection:  What was productive about the conversations during this activity?  What could you add to enhance the productive talk during the activity?

Inquiry Tips:  Have students engage in group conversations about the topic. Keep them on task during this time period.  Have students explore a subject before giving them the explanations/answers.  Allow students to answer other students questions before doing so.  Allow students to master concepts rather than remember facts.  Engage students in open-ended questions and discussions versus yes/no questions and discussions.  Focus students on supporting their comments (claims) with evidence  Allow communication to be a conversation.

 Refer to the Making Thinking Visible –Chapter 5 page 91,  Discuss these suggestions for productive talk and setting up classroom norms with your table group.

The End!  Enjoy the Inquiry Process!