Inquiry Circles An Effective Student Centered Teaching Strategy

By Jennifer Batten-Bednar

Inquiry Circles Inquiry circles utilize student grouping and investigation during

instruction.

Students select a topic to research and investigate.

Student led and centered

Teacher can model inquiry for students prior to inquiry projects.

Builds and promotes student motivation to learn about a student chosen topic.

Develop students’ research and critical thinking skills.

How to Implement Inquiry

Model inquiry by asking questions.

Teacher can lead group discussion about an unfamiliar topic.

Modal research skills and resource utilization

Group students into small groups.

Ask questions and promote learning through investigation on the student selected group topic.

Learning with Inquiry Circles

Inquiry circles are very similar to a literature circle. Instead of selecting a singular book or topic for investigation, Inquiry Circles combine all elements of broad topic for inquiry.

Inquiry Circles can aid with student learning.

Principles of Inquiry Circles

Topics are based on special interests that the students chose to investigate.

Flexible grouping for inquiry teams.

Uses research based investigations to learn more about a topic.

Involves student responsibility and leadership.

Developing an Inquiry Topic

Four Steps in developing an Inquiry Topic

Monitor student comprehension and interests

Create a motivation to learn by inspiring students with topics

Activate prior student knowledge and experience

Connect prior knowledge to new topics

Student Comprehension and Interests Questioning strategies are an excellent method used for discovering student special interests and comprehension levels of your students.

Creative writing exercises are a useful tool that teachers can use in developing knowledge of student interests.

Utilizing Resources and Critical Thinking

It is important to model critical thinking and discussion in the classroom.

Demonstrating the use of proper resources will aid the students in their inquiry projects.

Monitor students’ research and activities.

All resources should be approved and meet criteria for the classroom.

Small Grouping is Effective

Small groups are a key component of Inquiry Circles in several ways

They promote collaborative learning

They generate energy for active learning

Discussions generate a deeper understanding of the topic

Grouping students allow for diversity in the classroom to become as asset

Inquiry circle grouping allows for differential instruction

Four Types of Inquiry Grouped Learning

Mini-Inquiries

Short-term small group research/in class questions and investigations

Curricular Inquiries

Inquiries based on achieving state guidelines for instruction

Achieving goal based inquiry can aid in meeting framework or common core standards.

Literature Circle Inquiries

This allows for student achievement in reading strategies.

Open Inquires

Creative writing and discussions help promote learning.

Inquiry Circles and Student Motivation

Students may need motivation to learn.

Inquiry circles are peer led group investigations

A desire to learn is necessary for successful inquiry circles

Spark student interests with a variety of topics

Activating Prior Knowledge

Students bring prior knowledge with them during an Inquiry Circle

Teacher can utilize the activation of prior knowledge to aid in the selection of an Inquiry Circle topic.

Referring to past experiences often sparks creative and motivational effort within each student

Connecting Prior knowledge to New Topics

The connections of prior knowledge to newly introduced topics is an important aspect of an Inquiry Circle

Teachers can introduce new topics and explain any connections to previously discovered interests and experiences of the students.

By connecting prior knowledge to new topics, teachers can promote the development of Inquiry Circle topics.

Making connections between texts and media is an excellent way to connect prior knowledge with new interests for investigation.

Social Aspects of Inquiry Circles

Students are able to engage in group learning and investigation.

Student collaboration is enhance by the desire to learn.

Inquiry Circles enable students to develop social skills.

Student knowledge is shared.

Small grouping in inquiry circles promotes student led learning and teaching.

Assessment and Evaluation

It is important for proper assessment of each inquiry circle within the classroom

Teacher can use projects for summative assessment.

Peer and individual assessments can be conducted after completing group investigations.

Infomal formative assessments can also help with student assessments.

Inquiry Circle There are many positive benefits of implementing

Inquiry Circles within the classroom. Utilizing this teaching strategy can enhance student learning, social skills, and educational achievement.

A simple way to differentiate instruction by the use of grouping.

Promotes shared learning.

References and Resources Daniels, H., Harvey, S. 2009. Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action.Portsmith,NH:Heinemann.