Inquiry Circles - Arkansas State Universitycoeweb.astate.edu/jbattenbe/projects/Inquiry...
Transcript of Inquiry Circles - Arkansas State Universitycoeweb.astate.edu/jbattenbe/projects/Inquiry...
Inquiry Circles An Effective Student Centered Teaching Strategy
By Jennifer Batten-Bednar
Inquiry Circles Inquiry circles utilize student grouping and investigation during
instruction.
Students select a topic to research and investigate.
Student led and centered
Teacher can model inquiry for students prior to inquiry projects.
Builds and promotes student motivation to learn about a student chosen topic.
Develop students’ research and critical thinking skills.
How to Implement Inquiry
Model inquiry by asking questions.
Teacher can lead group discussion about an unfamiliar topic.
Modal research skills and resource utilization
Group students into small groups.
Ask questions and promote learning through investigation on the student selected group topic.
Learning with Inquiry Circles
Inquiry circles are very similar to a literature circle. Instead of selecting a singular book or topic for investigation, Inquiry Circles combine all elements of broad topic for inquiry.
Inquiry Circles can aid with student learning.
Principles of Inquiry Circles
Topics are based on special interests that the students chose to investigate.
Flexible grouping for inquiry teams.
Uses research based investigations to learn more about a topic.
Involves student responsibility and leadership.
Developing an Inquiry Topic
Four Steps in developing an Inquiry Topic
Monitor student comprehension and interests
Create a motivation to learn by inspiring students with topics
Activate prior student knowledge and experience
Connect prior knowledge to new topics
Student Comprehension and Interests Questioning strategies are an excellent method used for discovering student special interests and comprehension levels of your students.
Creative writing exercises are a useful tool that teachers can use in developing knowledge of student interests.
Utilizing Resources and Critical Thinking
It is important to model critical thinking and discussion in the classroom.
Demonstrating the use of proper resources will aid the students in their inquiry projects.
Monitor students’ research and activities.
All resources should be approved and meet criteria for the classroom.
Small Grouping is Effective
Small groups are a key component of Inquiry Circles in several ways
They promote collaborative learning
They generate energy for active learning
Discussions generate a deeper understanding of the topic
Grouping students allow for diversity in the classroom to become as asset
Inquiry circle grouping allows for differential instruction
Four Types of Inquiry Grouped Learning
Mini-Inquiries
Short-term small group research/in class questions and investigations
Curricular Inquiries
Inquiries based on achieving state guidelines for instruction
Achieving goal based inquiry can aid in meeting framework or common core standards.
Literature Circle Inquiries
This allows for student achievement in reading strategies.
Open Inquires
Creative writing and discussions help promote learning.
Inquiry Circles and Student Motivation
Students may need motivation to learn.
Inquiry circles are peer led group investigations
A desire to learn is necessary for successful inquiry circles
Spark student interests with a variety of topics
Activating Prior Knowledge
Students bring prior knowledge with them during an Inquiry Circle
Teacher can utilize the activation of prior knowledge to aid in the selection of an Inquiry Circle topic.
Referring to past experiences often sparks creative and motivational effort within each student
Connecting Prior knowledge to New Topics
The connections of prior knowledge to newly introduced topics is an important aspect of an Inquiry Circle
Teachers can introduce new topics and explain any connections to previously discovered interests and experiences of the students.
By connecting prior knowledge to new topics, teachers can promote the development of Inquiry Circle topics.
Making connections between texts and media is an excellent way to connect prior knowledge with new interests for investigation.
Social Aspects of Inquiry Circles
Students are able to engage in group learning and investigation.
Student collaboration is enhance by the desire to learn.
Inquiry Circles enable students to develop social skills.
Student knowledge is shared.
Small grouping in inquiry circles promotes student led learning and teaching.
Assessment and Evaluation
It is important for proper assessment of each inquiry circle within the classroom
Teacher can use projects for summative assessment.
Peer and individual assessments can be conducted after completing group investigations.
Infomal formative assessments can also help with student assessments.
Inquiry Circle There are many positive benefits of implementing
Inquiry Circles within the classroom. Utilizing this teaching strategy can enhance student learning, social skills, and educational achievement.
A simple way to differentiate instruction by the use of grouping.
Promotes shared learning.
References and Resources Daniels, H., Harvey, S. 2009. Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action.Portsmith,NH:Heinemann.