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Moira Messick's picture

Levels of Inquiry

Today's lesson was incredibly valuable for me.  I really related to Paul's multi-level approach to inquiry.  Up until this point, I think that I was getting stuck on looking to intergrate level four into all areas of the curriculum, all the time.  The four-level model makes sense chronologically as well.  It might be beneficial to begin the school year with "What do you want to learn about then teach Ms. B's class about gardening this year?"  Students may not feel completely comfortable with the open-endedness of this task at first.  To help facilitate, I would initially take them through the different levels of 1. confirming understanding, 2. structured inquiry, and 3. guided inquiry.  Starting with these activities will help them work up to the level four open inquiry.

On another note, I was appreciative of the foundation set by Paul in order to set up and complete the actual lab.  It was nice to experience success with the lab.  It built confidence in an area where I was initially uncomfortable.

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