Inquiry Based Learning -Investingating Animals Using Non-Fiction for Inquiry Based Research

Inquiry is defined as "a seeking for truth, information, and knowledge by questioning. The thirst for truth, information, and knowledge starts when we are babies, curious about everything that is around us and courageous enough to seek and find without inhibitions. The process of inquiry starts with questions, student engagement, cooperative interaction, performance evaluation and a variety of resources.

The following lesson is geared towards 2nd - 3rd grade students, it focuses on "Investigating Animals:Using Non Fiction Inquiry Based Research"

Students will use non-fiction text to learn about their favorite animal and document their information using charts, graphic organizers, journals, interactive online activities. Students will choose an animal to study, form questions for research, organize data by tallying/graphing different types of animals selected by students. Students will use research building blocks and Interactive Writing Techniques. Students will participate in activity.

After extensive research, data collection, collaboration, students will share their finds with an audience of peers chart paper, graphs, journals, and illustrations.

The teacher will provide a plethora resources for students to use such as web resorces, books, pictures, and diagrams to guide through the research and the lesson.

There will be a section for Student Assessment and Reflection:

Encourage students to assess their the processes and evaluate their work on an ongoing basis. Urge them to decide what is going well and what needs further attention.

At the end of each day, encourage students to reflect on what they learned and accomplished, and to share those thoughts either orally or in their reflection journals.

I think this is a very well planned Inquiry Based Lesson on Research and Animals, it introduces primary age students to probing questions, research, collaboration, and presentation. It encourages students to document through journals feelings, and reflections about the progress of their learning, which promotes students in taking ownership of the learning process.