Teachers are exploring Inquiry Models and incorporating Inquiry-based learning into their major study topic this term. Although this is still a trial period to give teachers an opportunity to research and learn about Inquiry-based learning there is already a significant change in dialogue and discussion surrounding this approach. One teacher has begun a "wonderings wall" where the students questions are displayed. Teachers shared PMI's (Positive, Minus and Interesting) reflecting on our school noho marae at the end of last term. Another teacher has been introducing CAFs (Consider All Factors) to help her students identify factual information about a particular issue/event. Another teacher is exploring the 7 servants (6 Ws and 1 H) to build up questioning skills. These are all great tools to help learners focus their thinking skills.
We have an inquiry folder on our server at school and staff can access interesting readings, or add useful information for others in there.
We have also started an inquiry folder on our new school website, this will also have links added later to really informative websites about inquiry-based learning.
Questions we will be contually reviewing are:
What does inquiry-based learning look like, sound like and feel like at our school?
How is inquiry-based learning going to engage my students in learning effectively?
How is inquiry-based learning going to raise achievement at our school and what is the evidence for this?
A website for thinking tools:
http://www.ltag.education.tas.gov.au/effectteach/Thinking/thinktools.htm
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Well done Foxton Primary! You are achieving so much within your Inquiry journey. It is great to see the 'balance' you are using during this trial period by incuding a mix of practical and theory to develop staff understanding and confidence. It is also impressive to see the way you are encouraging greater awareness for the wider learning community too. Congratulations!
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