Inquiry Instruction Earth Science Workshop

Inquiry  What is inquiry instruction?  Inquiry instruction – providing students the opportunity to engage in the investigative nature of science

Spectrum of Inquiry Instruction Inquiry instruction can depend on:  the activity or lab  the level of purposeful involvement  expertise of the instructor Sometimes, inquiry activities:  Are guided by instructor OR  Have little instructions (student led)

Inquiry In The Classroom  What does inquiry look like in the classroom?  Create a Bubble Map that describes science in your classroom  Consider putting in your bubble adjectives of what you’re students are doing….

Benefits of Inquiry Using inquiry instruction in the science classroom can enhance:  Student Motivation and Performance  Scientific Literacy  Conceptual Understanding  Critical Thinking  Learning of underserved and underrepresented populations

Websites  National Science Teacher Association  Middle School Science  Virtual Middle School Library ed.html ed.html

Brain Pop  Brain Pop – cartoon videos on every topic, includes assessments Brain Pop

Thinking Maps  Flow Map – use a flow map to describe the scientific method and the steps involved in doing a lab.

A note on qualitative observations….