Mini-Inquiry Projects
I can't believe I haven't reflected on this...because it was AMAZING!!!
Talk about rich and amazing work that comes out of letting students be in charge of their learning, to make choices, and then to hold them accountable through the process.
The mini-inquiry project was hugely a success (and I admit I had NO IDEA how it would end up). It was in its more raw sense a true inquiry project. I don't know where to start but as a teacher, it was amazing and refreshing for me and the same for my kids (from their post reflections/conversations).
What was it?
Students were asked to derive topics from their independent reading novels that they chose and were currently reading. From those topics, they chose one they wanted to explore more and did some prelim research. From this research, they developed an inquiry question...some were: "Where is the woman's voice in arranged marriages in Cambodia?" "How does bipolar disorder impact your lifestyle?" "How can you maintain a long distance relationship?"
What did students do?
They researched their topic and looked for evidence to answer their question. From that, they wrote an expository essay and explained their research findings. Finally, they created a public display to express the main takeaway they wanted audience to be knowledgeable of as a result of their research. These public displays ranged from websites to videos to PSAs to brochures and comic strips.
Students response to this?
First of all, the inquiry gallery walk was AWESOME!! Students entertained visitors at their station, articulating info about their research and fielding questions their visitor might have. Students were visitors along with other school staff members who stopped in. Students loved the opportunity to share about their learning with people beyond their classroom. When asked about what were some things they enjoyed about this project, their answers included:
- Choice (for topic, public display)
- Creativity
- Control ("We were the ones that made the calls instead of teachers like it's always." MC)
- Sharing (surprisingly, more than half the class mentioned that they enjoyed sharing their work with people and having the chance to talk about their work! this is a huge increase from their fiction story where only 4 students from cohort B were willing to share their work with the rest of the 8th grade class...!)
My biggest regret: I was so busy listening to students and visiting their stations I didn't get a chance to capture the amazing "thing" that was happening on video or camera.
BUT, it was AMAZING.
Biggest reflections:
- Students like JE, KJ, LB who may not always seem to display strong oral skills were so eloquent and articulate.
- Strong writing pieces that really nailed important information that focused on their topic and were straightforward. Was it a "deep issue"? For some, yes. For others, by society's standard, maybe not...but to THEM, it was. Which was why they chose it. Like deep sea creatures, injustice in Kosovo, and coal mining.
My conclusion:
The kids really said it.
CHOICE + CREATIVITY + CONTROL = (in my opinion) VOICE at its rawest state and huge opportunity for learning and success
:-)
Talk about rich and amazing work that comes out of letting students be in charge of their learning, to make choices, and then to hold them accountable through the process.
The mini-inquiry project was hugely a success (and I admit I had NO IDEA how it would end up). It was in its more raw sense a true inquiry project. I don't know where to start but as a teacher, it was amazing and refreshing for me and the same for my kids (from their post reflections/conversations).
What was it?
Students were asked to derive topics from their independent reading novels that they chose and were currently reading. From those topics, they chose one they wanted to explore more and did some prelim research. From this research, they developed an inquiry question...some were: "Where is the woman's voice in arranged marriages in Cambodia?" "How does bipolar disorder impact your lifestyle?" "How can you maintain a long distance relationship?"
What did students do?
They researched their topic and looked for evidence to answer their question. From that, they wrote an expository essay and explained their research findings. Finally, they created a public display to express the main takeaway they wanted audience to be knowledgeable of as a result of their research. These public displays ranged from websites to videos to PSAs to brochures and comic strips.
Students response to this?
First of all, the inquiry gallery walk was AWESOME!! Students entertained visitors at their station, articulating info about their research and fielding questions their visitor might have. Students were visitors along with other school staff members who stopped in. Students loved the opportunity to share about their learning with people beyond their classroom. When asked about what were some things they enjoyed about this project, their answers included:
- Choice (for topic, public display)
- Creativity
- Control ("We were the ones that made the calls instead of teachers like it's always." MC)
- Sharing (surprisingly, more than half the class mentioned that they enjoyed sharing their work with people and having the chance to talk about their work! this is a huge increase from their fiction story where only 4 students from cohort B were willing to share their work with the rest of the 8th grade class...!)
My biggest regret: I was so busy listening to students and visiting their stations I didn't get a chance to capture the amazing "thing" that was happening on video or camera.
BUT, it was AMAZING.
Biggest reflections:
- Students like JE, KJ, LB who may not always seem to display strong oral skills were so eloquent and articulate.
- Strong writing pieces that really nailed important information that focused on their topic and were straightforward. Was it a "deep issue"? For some, yes. For others, by society's standard, maybe not...but to THEM, it was. Which was why they chose it. Like deep sea creatures, injustice in Kosovo, and coal mining.
My conclusion:
The kids really said it.
CHOICE + CREATIVITY + CONTROL = (in my opinion) VOICE at its rawest state and huge opportunity for learning and success
:-)
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