How to Support Inquiry
in the Primary Classroom
Inquiry-Based Learning - What is it?
Inquiry-based learning focuses on students’ questions, observations and ideas being at the center of their learning. Teachers facility this process by establishing a classroom environment where ideas are respectfully challenged and refined using a growth mindset where both student and teacher share the responsibility for learning.
This approach often employs the strategy of using open-ended investigations into a problem or question which would engage learners in evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking.The teacher must be able to carefully monitor student’s readiness and be able to help to move them forward in their inquiry.
The inquiry process feeds in to children’s natural sense of curiosity which capitalizes on their intrinsic motivation to learn and problem solve with a high level engagement
The flexibility and adaptability of the inquiry process allows teachers to capitalize on student interests and to add variety to the learning environment activities
Through the active role learners take in the process they learn to self advocate for their learning and this can help to build metacognitive skills in addition to further developing self confidence
Helps in the development of information literacy and critical thinking
The experiential nature of the learning leads to deeper learning and understanding of a given subject.
How Teachers work to create an environment that is responsive to IBL
- Teachers work to create an environment that is responsive to lBL. The physical space (classroom) should be arranged to support a number of different and configurations such as small groups, pairs , individuals and teacher with small group to support the flexible grouping strategy.
- A variety of choices should be offered to students for how they are able to connect with the content and demonstrate their learning gains. This may be achieved creating learning centers or stations that may utilize manipulatives, using reading materials at a variety of levels, and varying instructional strategies such as scaffolding, graphic organizers, allowing choices, and offering different levels of teacher support and by allowing the students to demonstrate their understanding of the process / product in a variety of ways.
- The teacher works to create a classroom environment that supports a growth mindset where student's natural curiosity is encouraged and they feel comfortable posing questions, responding respectfully in agreement or disagreement with others, and learn to pose questions that extend their learning.
- Teacher allows students to spend time solving problems and they are encouraged to engage and to use a variety of strategies and models to solve the problem and to further develop their skills of critical thinking, communication
- Through observation and coaching the teacher can use this information to support any breakdown in understanding.