Presenters Karen AnsberryEmily Morgan Authors, Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry

Pps logo Using Children’s Books to Guide Inquiry Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan NSTA Web Seminar January 11, 2006

MYTH #1: All science subject matter should be taught through inquiry.

MYTH #2: True inquiry occurs only when students generate and pursue their own questions.

MYTH #3: Student engagement in hands-on activities guarantees that inquiry teaching and learning are occurring.

Mystery Pellets Lesson Objectives Connecting to the Standards Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry Content Standard C: Life Science Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6

What do you OBSERVE about the object? (Don’t forget to measure!) What do you WONDER about the object? What did you LEARN about the object? OWL Chart

Wonderings

Stamp Here When You Hear the Answer

Wonderings

Question Sort Researchable vs. “Investigatable” Questions

5 Essential Features of Inquiry 1. Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions. 2. Learners give priority to evidence to develop explanations. 3. Learners formulate explanations from evidence. 4. Learners evaluate their explanations in light of other explanations. 5. Learners communicate and justify their explanations.

Which of the following scenarios illustrates inquiry? (1) Ms. Florez asks her students to investigate the question “Do earthworms prefer light or dark areas?” She provides the materials, guides them in collecting the data and summarizing it, reads them a book about worms written by a scientist, and establishes guidelines for a poster session. (2) Mr. Young’s students became interested in earthworms in the schoolyard. They decide to investigate whether earthworms prefer wet or dry soil. They design an experiment, collect and summarize the data, compare their conclusion to information on a website, and give presentations to each other about their results

Variations Teacher GuidedLearner Self-Directed A table with this information can be found on page 21 of the Picture-Perfect Science Lessons book.

Inquiry is an approach to learning that involves exploring the world and that leads to asking questions, testing ideas, and making discoveries in the search for understanding.

More Books to Read

Carolina Owl Resource Guide

Ordering Owl Pellets Carolina Owl Pellet $3.45 Each 10+ Each $2.75 Small Owl Pellet $1.00 Each William K. Sheridan Owl Pellet $1.95 Each

Questions

Upcoming NSTA Web Seminars: NASA: Preparing for the Journey to Space II January 19, 2006 Investigating Safely January 25, 2006 Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! II February 1, :30 PM Eastern Time