What is the 3rd Grade Inquiry Anyway?! Feb 19, 2010 Today’s Agenda 1. What is science inquiry look like in elementary grades? 2. Inquiry Activity “Mystery powders!” 3. Review supports for Science Inquiry Work Samples

K-4 Inquiry Skills Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry: K-4 Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the environment Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in the environment Plan and conduct a simple investigation Plan and conduct a simple investigation Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses Use data to construct a reasonable explanation Use data to construct a reasonable explanation Communicate investigations and explanations Communicate investigations and explanations

What is Scientific Inquiry “Science inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientist study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas as well as…how scientists study the natural world. “Science inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientist study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas as well as…how scientists study the natural world.

Active Science Active inquiry-based science has two dimensions, but one has been overemphasized. Active inquiry-based science has two dimensions, but one has been overemphasized. 1. Doing inquiry-based activites and using inquiry procedures that scientists employ in laboratory and field work. 2. Doing what scientists do in their respective research communities: individual and collective sense making.

Embedding inquiry in a learning cycle Helps students make science of science content and inquiry process Based on constructivism ideas that student best learn by constructing their own learning from experiences and experiencing times of disequilibrium

Phase 1 -Exploration Students learn through direct interaction with materials. Teacher guidance is minimized; the purpose is to arouse curiosity, raise questions through conceptual conflict, and identify patterns Students learn through direct interaction with materials. Teacher guidance is minimized; the purpose is to arouse curiosity, raise questions through conceptual conflict, and identify patterns

Phase 2 - Investigation (also called Term Application) Students discuss the data collected, clarify the pattern(s) observed, and are provided the appropriate terminology. This phase can also involve a more student directed investigation. Students discuss the data collected, clarify the pattern(s) observed, and are provided the appropriate terminology. This phase can also involve a more student directed investigation.

Phase 3 Sense-Making (also called Concept Application) Students apply and extend the range of the concept. This is done through more laboratory work, readings, demonstrations, problems, etc. Students apply and extend the range of the concept. This is done through more laboratory work, readings, demonstrations, problems, etc.

Phase one: Let’s Explore What happens when you combine different materials? Materials Mystery Powder 1 Mystery Powder 1 Mystery Powder 2 Mystery Powder 2 Mystery Liquid 1 Mystery Liquid 1 Mystery Liquid 2 Mystery Liquid 2

Exploration Procedure Combine each mystery powder with each mystery liquid (one of each at a time). Record your observations in the provided data table.

Data Table CombinationObservations Powder 1 plus Liquid 1 Powder 1 plus Liquid 2 Powder 2 plus Liquid 1 Powder 2 plus Liquid 2

How is this inquiry for 3rd grade? Descriptive learning cycles. Students explore, discover, and describe a pattern. After the data and pattern are discussed, the teacher introduces the appropriate term(s). Finally, additional explorations involving the same concept are made. From this process comes the State Science Work Sample

3rd grade Inquiry Supports online 3rd grade supports and info online 3rd grade supports and info This information in on the Science Curriculum Webpages under K-5

Questions?