During the entire inquiry process you are GATHERING information and RECORDING learning.
Look for creative SOURCES of information to learn from. Consider:
A Picture Book! They are written for all ages of students on a wide range of topics – fiction and non-fiction. Ask your Teacher Librarian for help!
An Image! Isolate an image or photo from a book, from a movie, from a newspaper or ?? Give time and space for students to observe the image and make connections, notice things in the forefront and background, ask new questions and search for clues that may help them chase the inquiry question.
An Artifact! Bring in objects related to the inquiry topic for examination. Give time and space for students to observe the artifact, touch (if possible) and examine it for clues, information and add questions as they relate the artifact to what they know about their question.
Interview an Expert! Find someone in your community, in your city or even globally that knows something about your question. Set up an in person or virtual interview. Have your students prepare questions in advance.
A Quote! Introduce a quote that will invoke critical thinking on your inquiry question. Invite students to think about a connection between the quote and your inquiry question. Keep the quote posted for the duration of your inquiry and see if students continue to consider it. Can’t find a quote from someone else, write one yourself!
A Video! Make a short clip of an online video to show students. Giving them a specific question to chase during the clip will help them stay focused on the goal of watching the clip.
A Walk! Take a trip and walk someone where students can engage with their topic. Provide a way for students to record their thinking, questions and learning during the walk or immediately after.
A Song! Listen to a song that may hold ideas or information about your topic. Encourage your students to take note of lyrics and the way the music may connect to your topic.
Stories! Ask students in your class if they have a story or experience that related to your topic. It may surprise you how much your students may already know about the question you are chasing. Build on your cumulative knowledge!
A Newspaper Article! Is there a relevant news article that could encourage your students to think outside the box? Read it together and examine the "other side" of your question as you chase.
A Podcast! Find audio experts who can teach you about your topic. Don't forget to evaluate and look for credible sources!
Here are some great ways to RECORD learning...
With emerging writers:
Dictate thinking in a Word document
Record a Flipgrid video
Draw a picture and explain it to your group
Interview students in small groups to record their learning
As a whole class, share your learning while the teacher records as visually as possible the ideas shared
With developing and proficient writers:
Notebooks – paper or digital notebooks can be kept
Blog – create a class blog where students can record together their learning
Padlet – create a collaborative space where students can add their thinking and learning to specific questions
Graphic Organizer – locate or create a graphic organizer that will help record learning under themes or questions being chased
Record a Flipgrid video
Dictate ideas and thinking into a Word document
Tips for Success:
Encourage students to record learning in their own words while citing the source that sparked the learning.
Teacher students how to record direct quotes if necessary. Then cite that source accurately.
Refine and record more details as new sources of information are explored
Allow students to choose how they could best record their learning and organize information throughout the inquiry