Amy
Forum Replies Created
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AmyParticipantHi Laura, The lesson that you described reminds me of an activity we do called "Growing Sideways." We place a cup with a planted lima bean into a shoe box that has a hole at the top. We close the shoe box and the only light is through that hole in the top. We also grow a lima bean in the windowsill with full light to compare to the one growing in the show box. The kids just love it and enjoy "peeking" into the shoe box every few days to record our observations. I liked your idea on how to take this lesson to the guided inquiry level. I think you are right when you stated that this will give students ownership through the individualized procedures that they design. I wonder if you provided them with different types of seeds to experiment with (which ones grow quicker in sunlight or how do they differ when compared to other seeds that grow in the dark) if it would lead to some interesting discussions. It would also be interesting to have some students test their investigations with natural sunlight versus artificial light like lamps. I bet they love this lesson! Teaching science and watching their minds think and create is so fun!in reply to: Inquiry in Your Classroom #712775
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AmyParticipantOne of the extension lessons in our sound unit is making kazoos. Prior to this activity we would have done some lessons and investigations that focus around our essential question for this unit: How do different materials affect the type of sound that is made? Students are given a empty toilet paper roll (punched with a hole), wax paper, and a rubber band. They build their kazoo with the materials, blow into it, and we discuss how sound is made and relate that to what we have learned in previous lesson. I think that this particular activity falls into the confirmation level of inquiry. The science practices that the students develop through this activity are: develop and use models, analyze & interpret data, and construct explanations. This lesson can be modified to fit both the structured and guided levels of inquiry. Students will still be presented with the same question: How do different materials affect the type of sound that is made? The goal will to be to make a kazoo type instrument but they will be able to ask more questions, plan their own investigation, analyze the data, construct explanations, and engage in arguments using evidence they have obtained. Instead of a few materials being given to them, they will have different types of cylinder tubes (cardboard, plastic, metal, card stock to make their own tube), different types of materials to cover the end (cloth, foil, wax paper, plastic wrap, tissue paper), rubber bands, tape, paper and paper punchers of different sizes. Since we would have previously made a kazoo they would already know the procedure and would still be presented with that same question. This time they would be able to ask more questions such as how can I make a louder sound or how does the use of different materials affect the sound? They would develop a plan and construct a model, analyze and interpret the data they are collecting, and make changes when needed. Students would be able to construct an argument to support their discoveries, communicate with their peers, and compare their results to their classmate's investigations.in reply to: Inquiry in Your Classroom #712770
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AmyParticipantVanessa, I love your definition of inquiry! As a 1st grade teacher myself I really related to what you said when you stated that as educators we need to"teach children how to think, not what to think." I also agree with you that encouragement and confidence building are both essential when teaching students. I often feel like my students want me to give them the answer because in their mind that's what they are striving for...the right answer. I also agree that it's important to give students the tools to help them look for answers to their questions through research, experimentation, and observation. I enjoyed reading through your inquiry concept map too. Great job!in reply to: Intro to Inquiry #712461
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AmyParticipantInquiry is driven by an individual's sense of wonder, interest, and passion. It is guided by our curiosity and by asking questions. Those questions then turn into discoveries, explorations, experiments, and observations. Inquiry gives us the opportunity to make connections to what we know, reflect and communicate with others our discoveries, and allows us to problem solve using critical thinking. Inquiry empowers us with skills and knowledge to be independent and life long learners.in reply to: Intro to Inquiry #712460