Inquiry Based Learning

"We have a classroom system, where we could have a community system."

Do we run our schools as a factory system focused on control and order? 

Ouch!!

It is time we shift our thinking and practice! 

It starts with teachers.

Where can teachers find information about inquiry?
I have read Harvey and Daniels revised book, Comprehension and Collaboration. It is a great "how to" book, and a great place to start.

Another approach is Genius Hour. A great way to find out more about implementing Genius Hour is to look on Twitter #geniushour! I have found many resources this way.

Curiosity Day!

Curiosity Day 2015

September 19th

Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1941. Books about Curious George, including the seven original stories by Margret and Hans Rey, have sold over 75 million copies!

My 2-year-old grandson loves to watch the show with the man in the big yellow hat and the mischievous monkey, George! We have several books about Curious George and he enjoys looking at the pictures and talking about them. One day, he will be able to read about George on his own!

Curiosity Day is an annual event in Boston, Mass. Together, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and WGBH, Boston’s local PBS station, have helped thousands of kids, parents and grandparents celebrate a love of reading and learning. The popular event draws thousands of attendees each year.

Teachers and parents can download an event guide HERE! You will find great ideas for promoting the love of reading and Curious George in your classroom or home. 

Genius Hour

"Talk at me and I struggle to learn. Actively involve me and I achieve. Empower me to lead, and I take my new skills wherever I go."  Paul Solarz

Have you heard of Genius Hour?  Classrooms everywhere are trying this idea and finding that it encourages student excitement and engagement.
It is all about student-led learning environments where students develop confidence, curiosity, independence and collaboration. 

So how do you start this in your classroom and what does it look like?

Chris Kesler is an 8th grade science teacher who shares great resources on his website, Genius Hour.  Follow him on Twitter!
Paul Solarz is a fifth grade teacher in Illinois.  He calls his genius hour "Passion Time" find out more Here on his website. Follow him on Twitter! He has also written a book, Learn Like a Pirate! You can find it on Amazon.  If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free!

For resources and inspiration:
Genius Hour Wiki- Denise Krebs and Joy Kirr organizers
LiveBinder by Joy Kirr
Read: "Genius hour": What kids can learn from failure, by Emanuella Grinberg, CNN.
Twitter #genioushour


What do students have to say about Genius Hour?


I hope that I have inspired you to investigate Genius Hour, or maybe even try this in your classroom with your students!  I would love to hear from you!

Beginning Inquiry

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with several second-grade teachers to develop an integrated unit of study.  Science and ELA standards were used to create a mini-inquiry.  Students researched the Life Cycle of butterflies and frogs.  Students could choose from many leveled texts available for the inquiry. It is so important to have text sets ready for students! You need material for all of your readers. It takes planning to make this happen. We had to order books for the study. 

Here is a copy of the form used to help the students begin the inquiry.  The teacher put a picture on the SmartBoard and the students helped her fill it in. This chart can be made into a poster and laminated. Students can use it later in a station. 

Be sure to model the chart for students!  We started with an exciting picture that made them curious and engaged. Teachers used a photograph similar to the one below: