Jim

Welcome to the wonderful world of **INQUIRY. This will be very exciting and useful.

[|Using Inquiry to Promote Inquiiry Based Learning]

http://www.myprojectpages.com/

Helping students gain an interest in their own learning is indeed an interesting task. Being able to provide them with the "tools" necessary to complete their task is essential for a successful inquiry unit. Allowing students to discover and represent information "THEIR WAY" will give them ownship over the information and therefore their learning. Guided them through the process, including technological applications, will be the teachers greatest task.

The "essential question" in this Inquiry approach will force students to //synthesize// information. This synthesizing will be in degrees. Some students will get the question but their answer will be simplistic. Greater synthesizing will produce deeper understanding. It is critical that assessment tools relect "levels" of synthesis.

__DOING OUR PART FOR PLANET EARTH__**

Focus teaching on: I Do / We Do / You Do Before/During/After Objectives
 * Why should people care about the planet?**
 * How do we depend on the environment?
 * What are some problems facing the environment?
 * What do you think will happen to the environment during your lifetime?
 * Of all the ways that we may be doing harm to the earth, which concerns you most?
 * What are some things that you and your peers can do to show your respect and care for the environment?

This Inquiry unit is begining to take shape. Confusion and fog has indeed obscured the path to enlightenment, however, the fog is lifting and head clearing. Using the scaffolding model of I do, we do, and you do. is perfect. Thanks Joanne.

March 4, 2008 Working collaboratively with Kim and Kanndece has been great! We have worked well putting our unit together. This is a good unit with a great deal of technology embedded into it. The entire Inquiry approach will really motivate students. I am looking forward to trying the unit and seeing the kids excel with it! Jim