Planning and Managing for an Inquiry Based Lesson

Chapters 3 & 4

In chapters three and four of our text, it helps prepare future teachers to teach and inquiry based lesson. Chapter 3 focuses on what an inquiry lesson consists of, and chapter 4 helps teach methods of planning and managing for an inquiry lesson. 

Inquiry is...

"The careful and systematic method of asking questions and seeking explanations" (p. 38)


In our inquiry lesson, students were asked a question "How did the fire begin in the house?" they then had to "seek explanations" by conducting research to come to a final solution of how the fire occurred. Once the research concluded and students found their answers, they presented their information using FlipGrid and wrote a letter to conclude the project about how they could help save the environment.

With an inquiry lesson, students learn by constructing knowledge through asking questions, seeking evidence, and justifying their explanations.  

Practices that should be followed are asking questions and defining information, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations (science) and designing solutions (engineering), and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. 

When children use inquiry, they develop skills such as: observing, using space/ time relationships, using numbers, questioning, classifying, measuring, and communicating. 

Implementing inquiry based instruction is discussed in chapter 4. The chapter begins by discussing a unit plan, and the components that make up a unit plan. For a good science unit plan, the book suggests teachers use textbooks as resources and science kits (if the school supplies them). 

Components that make up a unit plan:

A unit plan consists of a series of lesson plans. To create a good unit plan, it must start with good lesson plans. A good lesson plan consists of six elements: 
1. Content to be Taught
2. Identify Misconceptions Commonly Held about the Core Idea
3. Performance Objectives
4. Concept Develop (5E's)
5. Evaluation 
6. Accommodations 

 After reviewing chapters 3 and 4 in the text, and actually giving an inquiry lesson I have become much more confident in creating science inquiry lessons, as well as direct lesson plans and unit plans. I feel my knowledge of creating a beneficial lesson plan and performing it has excelled over the course of the semester. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 5Es

Image
What are the 5ES? Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS) The 5ES are an instructional approach used in classrooms during science lessons. It's a sequence that can be used to teach programs, unit plans, or individual lessons. Why do we use it? Because it helps students build their own understanding from new experiences and new ideas.  The 5 parts include..... Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate Engage: This phase is to draw students in and get them interested on the topic, while pre-assessing their prior knowledge on the topic. During this phase, students make connections with past and present knowledge.  Explore: During this phase students "explore" the topic. This gets the students involved in the lesson, which also provides them with the chance to build their own understanding. Typically during this time, the teacher provides the students with the necessary materials and a model before sending them on their way. Studen...
Read more

Strategies, Quick Checks, and Assessments in Inquiry

Image
Strategies, Quick Checks, and Assessments in Inquiry Based Lessons: Chapters 5 & 6 Over the course of the semester I was able to not only learn from our text about useful strategies, quick checks with students, and sufficient assessments to use in inquiry based lessons, but I have also had the opportunity to implement and practice these strategies and assessments.  "How can I effectively create an inviting science discover space, encourage science talk, and foster cooperative learning in my science classroom?" (p. 72) Adding life to the classroom: such as setting up an aquarium or adding plants! Consider other senses: fill the room with sounds such as jungles, woodlands, animal noises, etc., this inspires curiosity and questions.   Distributing materials: Make appropriate techniques to distribute materials such as asking 2 to 3 students to help Provide work areas: extra space students can work at Providing clear directions  Create routines in the c...
Read more

Science, Engineering, and Technology

Image
Science, Engineering, and Technology  Chapter 7 & 8 Science is always adapting, changing, and incorporating new ways of teaching it. Today, science has so much more to it than just science. Chapter 7 and 8 in the text discuss how science incorporates engineering and technology.  When it comes to engineering it can be incorporated into a lesson in a variety of ways in every subject (language arts, mathematics, social studies, art, music, health, physical education, etc).  The Next Generation Science Standards  require teachers to incorporate engineering in the classroom. To check out more on engineering in the classroom, check out the article provided below.  Why Engineering for Children? Technology Enhancing Science Learning Technology is engaging for students! It encourages  curiosity and questions. Students connect with technology. It enhances student learning by providing immediate feedback, visu...
Read more