Inquiry+Learning+By+Peggy


 * __ Inquiry Learning by Peggy 6-10-09 __**

Peggy and Debbie with Patricia from Manunui attended 3 day PD at Massey about inquiry learning this was facilitated by Sue Callaghan an english teacher from Feilding High an ex national library // information // Literacy wizz.

We followed the Gwen Gawith 6 step ACTION PLAN method of teaching inquiry looking closely at each step the skills being modelled and taught at each step the common pitfalls and the progression.

I guess to summarise the main points were to

Not to teach the whole process to start with but to practise bits teach the skills required Model the skills often, brainstorming ,mapping ,note taking ,questioning Carefully follow the progression when you do finally complete the whole process Find the material for the students, you can save them a lot of time by FINDING first then let them choose from what you have sourced Make a laminated key for each student with their KEY words on it they can keep refering to them to help them stay on track Keep a record of the journey, photos etc Have a model/chart of the process up on display so students can visualise the process and where they are Make your first enuiry studies class wide topics keep the topic close to home pets, animals, the sea And keep it simple, especially for younger students or for those not experienced at enquiry

If anyone would like a copy of Gwen Gawiths book let me know, it is long out of print but have a look in your store room, it's a bit smaller than A4, red and white soft cover with a big STOP sign being held by 2 students on the cover.

Really important resources available free to schools EPIC and INDEX NEW ZEALAND both available through The National Library you will need to register and get a login password I use the Britannica Junior Encyclopaedia available through EPIC

Really helpful google searching tip from Debbie, add .kids to a search to allow only kids material eg **horses.kids as a google search**

Gwen Gawth link [] Infomation Literacy web site [] EPIC [] INDEX NEW ZEALAND [] Type in the content of your page here.