Hierarchic: 4 Main Ideas

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Makes Sense
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Name: LeahTabor

2008 Edwin Ellis, All Rights Reserved Published by Makes Sense Strategies, LLC, Northport, AL www.MakesSenseStrategies.com

Date:

Inquiry Model

03/17/2016

Is about

A model designed to give students practice at working with the scientific method. It is a problem-based model. A model that
uses a systematic approach to solve a problem.
Main idea

Theory/ Modifications

Theory:
Cognitive Learning Theory:
-The knowledge learners construct
depends on their prior knowledge and
experiences
-Learning is enhanced when learners
experiences are connected to the real
world
Vygotskys Theory:
-More knowledgeable other when a
group cannot get past a certain point
-Social Interaction is key to
development
-Scaffolding when needed
-Stays within the students ZPD
Modifications:
-For younger children, more guidance
will be needed for the data gathering
and conducting experiments
-If the lesson comes from the students
and you havent anticipated where it is
going, plan to just do it the next day
with appropriate alterations

Main idea

Planning

1) Identify Inquiry Question and

Learning Objectives:
-An appropriate question must be
asked; appropriate meaning a
question that works with the model
(something that can be
hypothesized
-The question MUST involve a
variable that can be manipulated
-Make sure students conduct
understand that they will be
conducting experiments in a
systematic way
-A large portion of identifying topics
deals with how to develop critical
thinking, scientific questioning, and
finding relationships
2) Planning for Data Gathering
-Strategies for data gathering
ideally need to be developed by
your students
-It is critical that during this phase
the students need to find data,
display data, and think of what it
means, so you as a teacher need to
plan for how the data can be best
displayed to look for the
relationships

Main idea

Implementation

1) Identify Question:
-The question should be intended to attract
attention and provide a challenge for the
students to identify and work through
-The question should always be displayed where
all students can see and refer to it
-Ask students to explain and interpret the
question in their own words to ensure everyone is
on the same page
2) Generate Hypotheses:
-In this stage, the students need to think about
the question, and formulate an answer to the
question
-Important to allow them to get creative, but
guide them if they are getting too far from the
subject
3) Gather and display data:
-This can only be done after there is a hypothesis
to test
-In this phase, controlled variables are introduced
and this can be done in one of two ways:
1) Discuss what controlled variables are and
then hope they understand the concept
2) Have them begin, and intervene to help
explain when they begin struggling (more
concrete approach)
-Organize and display the data and reassess the
validity of the hypothesis
4) Assess the hypothesis and generalize:
- You will more than likely have to guide your
students in understanding the connection in
between the data gathered and the hypothesis
-This will help the students develop their critical
thinking skills due to the comparison and the
analyzing of the results. By making connections
between the data produced by the experiment
and the original assumption helps develop trial
and error and this can be very encouraging for
the students

Main idea

Assessment/Motivation

Increasing Motivation:
Awakens curiosity
Presents a challenge
Student interaction
Presents tasks that can be applied
outside of the classroom
Student involvement
Assessment:
-Three objectives of assessment:
1) To increase understanding of
the processes involved
2) To develop students selfdirected learning
3) To acquire deep understanding
of specific topics
Different assessments include:
-Performance Assessments
-Systematic Observation
-Checklists
-Rating Scales
-Case Studies

So what? What is important to understand about this?

This is a model that helps develop the critical thinking and procedural approach as well. Formulating a hypothesis and
testing it is another real-life approach that will be appreciated by the students. This model is a good lesson in trial and
error.