1. Inquiry Instruction Earth Science Workshop 2007 - 2008

3. Inquiry  What is inquiry instruction?  Inquiry instruction – providing students the opportunity to engage in the investigative nature of science

4. Spectrum of Inquiry Instruction Inquiry instruction can depend on:  the activity or lab  the level of purposeful involvement  expertise of the instructor Sometimes, inquiry activities:  Are guided by instructor OR  Have little instructions (student led)

5. Inquiry In The Classroom  What does inquiry look like in the classroom?  Create a Bubble Map that describes science in your classroom  Consider putting in your bubble adjectives of what you’re students are doing….

6. Benefits of Inquiry Using inquiry instruction in the science classroom can enhance:  Student Motivation and Performance  Scientific Literacy  Conceptual Understanding  Critical Thinking  Learning of underserved and underrepresented populations

7. Websites  National Science Teacher Association www.nsta.org/middleschool www.nsta.org/middleschool  Middle School Science www.middleschoolscience.com www.middleschoolscience.com  Virtual Middle School Library http://www.sldirectory.com/teachf/sci ed.html http://www.sldirectory.com/teachf/sci ed.html

8. Brain Pop  Brain Pop – cartoon videos on every topic, includes assessments Brain Pop

9. Thinking Maps  Flow Map – use a flow map to describe the scientific method and the steps involved in doing a lab.

10. A note on qualitative observations….