My class and I have been enjoying the mini-inquiry so we thought we'd tackle learning more about adjectives in the same way rather than using worksheets. It also provided the opportunity to use prior knowledge and our own work as a legitimate research source and in an authentic way.
 
 
We needed to learn about terms for Data Handling so instead of teaching what it is and giving students a worksheet, I thought I would try using the same approach I had used for probability. I would give them a simple structure so they could learn the definitions but use their research skills to apply to their own data handling activities. I used a die roll ten times to provide an example of each (mode, mean, median and range) after which they found their own results. What was important is that it set up the opportunity to come to further questions rather than me letting them know in advance and when it wouldn't have held meaning or context to them. They simply asked when they were ready to learn. Questions arose such as, "What happens when you have two sets of numbers that occur the most?", "What happens when I get two numbers in the middle?" and "How do I divide a number that I don't know how to divide?"
 
 
I've been trying find ways in which to approach even the smallest of curriculum aims, through inquiry. Instead of turning to a text or a series of hands-on activities I could prepare and set up for my class, I thought about the type of learning that was most engaging for my students this year. It has always been when there has been a structure, organizer, process or schema to support their learning but at the same time keeping it open for them to explore freely and learn within it. Processes always delivered an appropriate balance between independence and support. I turned to my students prior knowledge and thought of using parts of the Scientific Method they had learned about and successfully used in a previous Unit of Inquiry. My aim was for them to use our thinking skill of application: making use of previously acquired knowledge in practical or new ways. After a brief discussion, note taking and a walk-through example, each student was able to work out the probability of a single event of their choosing.
 
 
After an inspiring workshop by Kath Murdoch last weekend, I've updated the Spelling Inquiry approach we use for writing. For more information please read my original post HERE.
spelling_inquiry_cycle.pages
File Size: 453 kb
File Type: pages
Download File

spelling_inquiry_cycle.pdf
File Size: 367 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

 

ProDivas! www.prodivame.com