1. Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry in social studies

2. What is an inquiry?
“Inquiry is an approach to learning whereby students find and use a variety of sources of information and ideas to increase their understanding of a problem, topic or issue of importance. It requires more than simply answering questions or getting a right answer. It espouses investigation, exploration, search, quest, research, pursuit and study. It is enhanced by involvement with a community of learners, each learning from the other in social interaction.” - Kuklthau, Maniotes & Caspari

3. What does inquiry look like?
Students will…
FOCUS (Selection of an inquiry question or topic)
Notice, wonder and ask question about a topic of interest
Share thinking and questions with peers and teachers
Dialogue about possible ways to learn more
Make predictions about possible outcomes or answers
EXPLORE (Investigate and research)
Gather information from a variety of resources (Ex. Websites, online articles, books, etc.)
Connect current thinking to previous knowledge  Clarify and extend questions
Talk about observations and thinking to generate more questions
Record information (notes)

4. What does inquiry look like? Continued…
ANALYZE (Summarize, draw conclusions, and construct new learning)
Use info to answer questions and test hypotheses (inquiry question), then draw conclusions (answers)
Describe characteristics and notice patterns  Compare, sort, classify, and interpret info
Talk about learning/concept understanding
SHARE LEARNING (Communicate findings and reflection)
Plan ways to express learning considering a variety of representations (Ex. Prezi, PowerPoint)
Articulate connections between prior knowledge and new discoveries
Answer and refine questions  Pose new, deeper questions for independent investigation

5. Practice creating an inquiry question
Create an inquiry question for at least two or more of the following topics:
Classroom Community
Rules and responsibilities
Music
Human rights
Space
Share with the class!

6. Practice creating an inquiry question
GOOD (ME-EE Expectations) examples of inquiry questions:
Classroom Community : How can creating a positive classroom community affect academic performance in students?
Rules and responsibilities : Why do we need rules and responsibilities?
Music : What purpose does music play in our lives?
Human rights : Why do human rights matter?
Space : What would it feel like to travel in space? What are some important moments in space history and space exploration?

7. Practice creating an inquiry question
NOT SO GOOD (Approaching Expectations) examples of inquiry questions:
Classroom Community : What is Classroom Community?
Rules and responsibilities : What are some rules and responsibilities teenagers have?
Music : What is the most popular genre of music?
Human rights : What are examples of human rights?
Space : How many planets are there in our solar system and what is important information about them?
Why are these questions not meeting expectations?

8. Early humans inquiry project
Based on your prior knowledge and interest, you will choose an Early Humans topic to FOCUS on.
Once you have decided on a topic, you can EXPLORE it to find more information and eventually create an inquiry question (needs to be approved by the teacher).
Did you have any questions while we were learning about Early Humans?
Do you have any curiosities about a specific Early Human?
During your exploration and discovery, you will ANALYZE the information to help you answer your inquiry question (research process).
When the question has been answered fully then you will SHARE your LEARNING with the class through a presentation.
FULL CRITERIA HANDOUT TO FOLLOW!!!