Following your students’ interests
How often do your students surprise you with facts, questions, and personal experiences? An inquiry research project is a great way to engage your whole class while teaching them essential skills. An inquiry project allows for students to follow their personal interests while learning from you every step of the way!
The idea
For a group of students who love animals and reading non-fiction books, an inquiry project is an ideal way to get them digging through their books. They will be reading with purpose and learning all about their favourite animal. Reading for understanding is a skill we strive to model and what better way to do it than with a topic they love!
The model
As a whole group, dive into an animal that many students may find fascinating. Create a buzz about saving the bees! Get your hands on a bee hive to investigate and have your students share everything they think and wonder. Reading them facts about bees is just the beginning. Start talking about the unique features of non-fiction books such as the table of contents, the glossary, and sub-headings. After many class discussions, they will be ready to dive into books of their own.
The delivery
Whether you want to teacher students how to create a poster, a PowerPoint, a pamphlet, or a stop-motion video, you will give your students the step-by-step tools required to add to their personal inquiry project. Break the project into steps for your students to follow along and accomplish small achievable goals each lesson. Key aspects of a presentation might include a title, subheadings, appealing photos, and finally, a great oral presentation.
The presentation
Your students will be thrilled to show off their work. Make sure to schedule some practice time to have students work on voice volume, speed, and fluency. Have them practice their expression and eye contact. Create a hype about their inquiry projects and invite other classrooms to visit! They will be so proud of the project they built from scratch.
Start this project with your students Monday and watch them read and write with purpose. Notice their research skills develop as you coach them. Admire their work when they proudly talk about everything they have learned!
Recent Comments