"Collaborative, relevant, deep, and thoughtful learning does work, at all grade levels. Decades of research confirm that such instruction leads not just to higher student achievement on the customary academic measures, but to better social attitudes, stronger work habits, and more persistence in school." (Harvey & Daniels, 2009)
This seminar will give teachers the tools they need to guide students in powerful and effective inquiry projects where students are thinking and collaborating in deep and relevant ways. When students are taught explicit comprehension strategies, and explicit collaboration practices, they are equipped to acquire and actively use a wide range of knowledge throughout the content areas.
Teachers will learn how to guide and facilitate four types of inquiry projects that are effective throughout the grade levels:
- Mini-Inquiries
- Curricular-Inquiries
- Literature Circle Inquiries
- Open Inquiries.
As teachers gain the skills to facilitate inquiry, students think about content, wonder about information, actively use knowledge, and are far more likely to take action in the world around them.
Course goals: