In primary grades, a school-wide focus on discovery and guided inquiry emphasizes the importance of structured assessment tools and meaningful activities. Organizers and templates are utilized for planning and recording information, while rubrics help establish criteria for selecting pertinent data and formulating a clear focus.
anecdotal records for recording reflections about the strengths and
challenges of the inquiry process used
checklists to chart possible topics, plans, and products for extending
the inquiry and transferring learning
Use the most appropriate method to support and present findings while honouring the learner’s choice (e.g. visual, oral, performance, written, multimedia, digital).
Post a presentation on an established physical or virtual space to rehearse and test its effectiveness.
applies knowledge of exemplary practices to make effective products
and presentations
expresses thoughts and feelings about presentation
uses a variety of strategies to create a product that presents findings
identifies the features of effective presentations
by making products that present the
results of their inquiry, assessing their
product and the process they used to
construct it, and extending and transferring
their learning to new contexts and inquiries.
PROCESSING
- exemplars of a variety of forms and presentations
- rating scales for evaluating and comparing websites
Use graphic organizers (e.g. T-chart,
Venn diagram, information map) to
compare information, according to
content or validity
makes connections between personal
knowledge and new information
expresses thoughts and feelings
about analyzing ideas
uses a variety of strategies to record
information from personal
knowledge and selected sources
identifies how information and ideas
can be sorted and classified for
effective organization
analyzing the information, evaluating their
ideas and those from selected information,
and organizing and synthesizing their
findings.
INVESTIGATING
- organizers and templates to plan inquiry and record
information and sources
- rubrics to establish criteria for selecting information,
and formulating a focus
- Read and discuss visual information such as
pictures, graphs and illustrations
- Take "virtual field trips" (Skype with experts)
- Conference with learning partners and teacher
applies knowledge of how information
is organized to help locate and select
information
expresses thoughts and feelings about
the inquiry process
uses conferencing (physical and virtual)
to discuss the topic with learning community
identifies available sources relevant to inquiry
designing a plan for inquiry, finding
sources and selecting appropriate
information, and formulating a clear and
interesting focus.
EXPLORING
Assessment Tools
- checklists to detail purpose, nature, and timeline of assignment
- rubrics to establish criteria for effective inquiry
Activities
-Brainstorming with others about possible questions
W5H, matrixes,
virtual-google docs, Mindomo,
face-to-face: partner, small groups, role play
-Virtual Space to build Inquiry
Whole Class, Group Specific
Blog, Mindomo, Docs,
Application
applies collaborative skills to help understand the purpose and
features of the inquiry
Communication
explains answers generated about the chosen topic, using a variety of
forms
Thinking
uses a variety of strategies and resources to choose a relevant topic
Knowledge/Understanding
Develops a variety of questions about the topic
HOW?
initiating the inquiry, choosing an appropriate
and personally engaging topic, and developing
deep questions around the topic chosen.
