What is Inquiry Science?
Throughout my reading there seems to be a few guiding ideals in the various views of what Inquiry Science 5 is and what it should look like. One of those is that inquiry is essentially questioning and looking for an answer. In a classroom, however, this will look different based on each teacher's ability to carry out true Inquiry. It can be very time consuming and at times initially costly. With good planning, a little forethought and some organization I believe it can work well in any classroom setting.
One main ingredient in Inquiry Science is that students have a personal stake in their learning. They have the freedom to select the information they wish to study and learn about as well as direct the research and path they will take to get there. Don't get me wrong they don't have all the power. A second grader will not be working on physics while a sixth grader learns about a frog life cycle. As the teacher we set the parameters for the learning that will take place. My students will be working on life cycles because this is a skill my state requires them to learn in second grade. Students will observe the three different life cycles I have selected to have in our classroom. However, they will self-select two other animals that they will research independently or with a partner. It will be my job to keep them on task while at the same time allowing them to explore ideas or topics that pop up along the way.
These different topics are where the inquiry piece truly comes into play. It is difficult to foresee what all of these may be, but one example is that someone decides to look more deeply into the adaptations of various animals. There are some fun and crazy facts that students could also want to explore. I will need to plan for and organize enough time throughout the year to make sure students have the freedom to follow these different paths. The scientific notebooks will assist in this process as well. I will set aside reading time every other week (I can change this as I go if needed) for students to research through the internet, informational text and reference books the topics they wish to explore personally. They will then make notes, illustrations and log ideas for further inquiry in their notebooks. This will allow me to not only meet some of the Common Core Standards for reading and writing but also to utilize time from my reading and writing schedule. By having this flexible time with reading, writing and science I will be able to provide students with the time required for their independent inquiry research and activities.
Comments: