Mrs.+L's+Diary

This inquiry project is with a small double Grade 3 and 4 Class. The challenge for me as a teacher was how to teach 2 very different concepts in a very limited time frame. There is no time for one Grade to be doing something else. My interest in inquiry and my understanding of the powerful learning opportunity inquiry can provide was the motivation for undertaking the task of 2 simultaneous inquiries. Day 1- The students brainstormed questions about their topics. Day 2- I discussed with the students the term "Inquire" and asked them what it means to inquire. From this discussion they created question banners which, together with their questions, became part of a bulletin board display.

 Day 3- We discussed that now that we know what it means to inquire, how can we work together to inquire? We discussed group work, established group norms and established roles for group members. Day 4 The Invitations-Each group was assigned a table on which the "invitation" materials were placed. The invitation included a binder with materials from the provincial science curriculum including a vocabulary list. MAGNETISM AND STATIC ELECTRICITY INVITATION: wire, wool, fur, plastic sticks, books, balloons, magnets, compass, metal and nonmetal materials, aligator clips.

