What is the 3rd Grade What is the 3rd Grade Inquiry Anyway?!Inquiry Anyway?!

Feb 19, 2010Feb 19, 2010Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

1.1. What is science inquiry look like What is science inquiry look like in elementary grades?in elementary grades?

2.2. Inquiry Activity “Mystery Inquiry Activity “Mystery powders!”powders!”

3.3. Review supports for Science Review supports for Science Inquiry Work SamplesInquiry Work Samples

K-4 Inquiry SkillsK-4 Inquiry Skills

Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry:Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry: K-4K-4 AAssk a question about objects,k a question about objects, organisms and organisms and

events in theevents in the environmentenvironment PPllan and conduct a simplean and conduct a simple investigationinvestigation EmEmploy simple equipment andploy simple equipment and tools to gather tools to gather

data anddata and extend the sensesextend the senses UUsse data to construct ae data to construct a reasonable reasonable

explanationexplanation CCoommunicate investigationsmmunicate investigations and explanationsand explanations

What is Scientific What is Scientific Inquiry Inquiry “ “Science inquiry refers to the diverse Science inquiry refers to the diverse

ways in which scientist study the ways in which scientist study the natural world and propose natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas as understanding of scientific ideas as well as…how scientists study the well as…how scientists study the natural world.natural world.

Active ScienceActive Science

Active inquiry-based science has two Active inquiry-based science has two dimensions, but one has been dimensions, but one has been overemphasized. overemphasized.

1.1. Doing inquiry-based activitesDoing inquiry-based activites and using and using inquiry procedures inquiry procedures tthhat scientists employ in at scientists employ in laboratory and field work. laboratory and field work.

2.2. Doing what scientists do in their respective Doing what scientists do in their respective research communities: individual and research communities: individual and collectivecollective sense making.sense making.

Embedding inquiry in a Embedding inquiry in a learning cyclelearning cycleHelps students make science of Helps students make science of

science content and inquiry processscience content and inquiry process

Based on constructivism ideas that Based on constructivism ideas that student best learn by constructing student best learn by constructing their own learning from experiences their own learning from experiences and experiencing times of and experiencing times of disequilibriumdisequilibrium

Phase 1 -ExplorationPhase 1 -Exploration

Students learn through direct Students learn through direct interaction with materials. Teacher interaction with materials. Teacher guidance isguidance is minimized; the purpose is minimized; the purpose is to arouse curiosity, raise questions to arouse curiosity, raise questions through conceptual conflict, and through conceptual conflict, and identify patternsidentify patterns

Phase 2 - Investigation Phase 2 - Investigation (also called Term Application)(also called Term Application)

Students discuss the data collected, Students discuss the data collected, clarify theclarify the pattern(s) observed, and are pattern(s) observed, and are provided the appropriate terminology. provided the appropriate terminology. This phase can also involve a more This phase can also involve a more student directed investigation.student directed investigation.

Phase 3 Sense-MakingPhase 3 Sense-Making(also called Concept (also called Concept Application)Application)

Students apply and extend the range Students apply and extend the range of the concept.of the concept. This is done through This is done through more laboratory work, readings, more laboratory work, readings, demonstrations, problems, etc.demonstrations, problems, etc.

Phase one:Phase one:Let’s Let’s ExploreExploreWhat happens when you combine What happens when you combine

different materials?different materials?MaterialsMaterials Mystery Powder 1Mystery Powder 1 Mystery Powder 2Mystery Powder 2 Mystery Liquid 1Mystery Liquid 1 Mystery Liquid 2Mystery Liquid 2

Exploration ProcedureExploration Procedure

Combine each mystery powder with Combine each mystery powder with each mystery liquid (one of each each mystery liquid (one of each at a time). Record your at a time). Record your observations in the provided data observations in the provided data table.table.

Data TableData Table

CombinationCombination ObservationsObservations

Powder 1 Powder 1 plus Liquid 1plus Liquid 1

Powder 1 Powder 1 plus Liquid 2plus Liquid 2

Powder 2 Powder 2 plus Liquid 1plus Liquid 1

Powder 2 Powder 2 plus Liquid 2plus Liquid 2

How is this inquiry for How is this inquiry for 3rd grade?3rd grade?

Descriptive learning cycles. Students Descriptive learning cycles. Students explore, discover, and describe a pattern. explore, discover, and describe a pattern. After the data andAfter the data and pattern are discussed, pattern are discussed, the teacher introduces the appropriate the teacher introduces the appropriate term(s). Finally, additional explorations term(s). Finally, additional explorations involving the same concept are made. involving the same concept are made.

From this process comes the State From this process comes the State Science Work SampleScience Work Sample

3rd grade Inquiry3rd grade InquirySupportsSupports

online 3rd grade supports and infoonline 3rd grade supports and info

This information in on the Science This information in on the Science Curriculum Webpages under K-5Curriculum Webpages under K-5

Questions?Questions?