5 E Instructional Model created by Debra DeWitt How can we teach children to think?

The key… to unlock learning is to provide appropriate activities combined with the right questions to spark student thinking.

Why an inquiry based model? New research from Vanderbilt University has found students benefit more from being taught the concepts behind math problems rather than the exact procedures to solve the problems. The findings offer teachers new insights on how best to shape math instruction to have the greatest impact on student learning. Most researchers agree that active, student-centered learning creates more lasting results than the traditional teacher-centered approach. It is the direction that DOE is encouraging. Vanderbilt University (2009, April 12). You Do The Math: Explaining Basic Concepts Behind Math Problems Improves Children's Learning

The Model… …is based on how we learn naturally. Engage—with a question or problem. Explore—to find the answer. Explain—Communicate learning to others. Extend—Where else can we use it? Evaluate—Apply the learning.

Engage Creates interest and curiosity Raises ‘why’ questions Activates prior knowledge Motivates students to learn by getting them personally involved Focuses students attention on the learning objective

Examples of Activities that Engage Brainstorming Use of manipulatives Graphic organizers CRISS strategies A demonstration A film clip that sparks interest An intriguing problem

Explore This group activity gives the students a chance to find the solution themselves. It should allow them to--- Investigate Experience Predict and Test Collect information Compare ideas Problem solve

Examples of Exploring Activities Perform an investigation Construct a model Learn and practice a skill Find another method Problem-solve with manipulatives, models, or pictures

Explain This activity allows students to analyze their activity and communicate new understandings. Class discussion is held Definitions explored Questions generated

Examples of Explaining Activities A class discussion is held but the teacher doesn’t do the explaining. The teacher questions students and encourages them to explain the concepts. Special effort is made to use high level questions that require deeper understanding and probes to direct student thinking in the desired direction. Responses can be recorded on charts, graphic organizers, or journals.. etc.

Extend This activity applies student learning to other curriculum areas or to real-world situations. It is a chance for students to use their new knowledge, enabling them to solidify the learning and/or thinking pattern.

Examples of Extending Activities Solves problems Looks beyond the obvious, records observations, reflects on learning, draws conclusions Designs another experiment Applies new knowledge to other problems Conducts research

Evaluate This activity allows the student to demonstrate knowledge of his/her understanding of the concept or skill being taught. Both the teacher and the student can determine how much learning has taken place.

Examples of Evaluation Activities Performance Assessment Teacher Observation Portfolio Rubrics Self-assessment Project Journal Entry

Questioning…. can reach your students where they are and lead them where you want them to go. Use Bloom’s Taxonomy when you plan your lessons.

When you need a different result… We still teach computation, but we also must teach thinking skills so our students can reason and problem solve to survive in today’s world. Our expectations of elementary students are much more complex than they used to be.

It’s all about making connections.