Paula from Paula's Place back to share with you how I plan an Inquiry Unit.
On Sunday I posted the 'Why' should we use a theme or Inquiry approach and this will give you more information about how I do things.
I use this model and the Taking Action is the big idea - this is where we need to get to with a well thought out path and direction for student learning.
This model can be found on many websites and I am not sure who the original author is.
So to demonstrate how I use this model this unit on Gold in Australia is an example.
Before I plan any unit of work - even an Inquiry - I look at the Curriculum, school planing documents, curriculum audits and reporting requirements.
This way I don't miss parts of the curriculum and have my eye on the ball for other things we need to cover.
Then I start with - How can we use any learning to make a difference?
This helps to build the BIG IDEA - use student driven questions and student devised ways to present new learning.
Then I pull in the Key Understandings which will help drive the teaching and/or independent leaning to help create individual questions for research. Skill development helps me to asses in other areas ie ICT, Personal Learning, Thinking Skills, Communication, English and Maths if they fit.
This is where I gather information on what my kids know.
We record our current knowledge, what we want to know.
Then the Inquiry Model Process begins.
Tuning In
Finding Out
Sorting Out
Then as a grade we brainstorm possible Inquiry Questions, as I know what the curriculum needs are I can help guide the questions and direction so that they are covered as well as what motivates each student.
Going Further
and
Making Conclusions happen here
The taking action is our conclusion.
Some kids will help along the way and I have tasks for them to assist in a modified version of an inquiry. Some kids are just not ready for an independent Inquiry Model yet.
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