Modeling+inquiry+based+lerning+in+the+classroom

= Over night success? =

If it were that easy we would all have classes that were meeting and exceeding grade level expectations!

Inquiry based learning or questioning techniques need to be modeled and practiced daily in the classroom (Peterson &Taylor, 2012). Just like any routine you teach, most students are not going to immediately get it on the first attempt. The students need to be "trained" how to approach and be a part of the routine by participating and practicing repeatedly.

Students may need probing questions to learn what information you are trying to get from them. Examples of probing questions are: (Peterson &Taylor, 2012)
 * Tell me more.
 * What happened next?
 * How do you know this?

Students may also need sentence stems to know how to begin their response. Examples of sentence stems are: (Peterson &Taylor, 2012)
 * The character felt embarrassed because....
 * I would not have done that because.....

Peterson and Taylor also suggest that students be given the opportunity to write their responses after they have been given opportunity to have discussion with peers or teacher (2012).

How could you begin using the inquiry based learning in your classroom? What norms would you have to establish before you began? What impact do you think this strategy would have on your teacher? (Answer the discussion questions below in the message forum.)

= =