Inquiry Instruction
Earth Science
Workshop 2007 - 2008
Inquiry
 What is inquiry instruction?
 Inquiry instruction – providing students the
opportunity to engage in the investigative
nature of science
Spectrum of Inquiry Instruction
Inquiry instruction can depend on:
 the activity or lab
 the level of purposeful involvement
 expertise of the instructor
Sometimes, inquiry activities:
 Are guided by instructor OR
 Have little instructions (student led)
Inquiry In The Classroom
 What does inquiry look like in the
classroom?
 Create a Bubble Map that describes
science in your classroom
 Consider putting in your bubble adjectives
of what you’re students are doing….
Benefits of Inquiry
Using inquiry instruction in the science
classroom can enhance:
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Student Motivation and Performance
Scientific Literacy
Conceptual Understanding
Critical Thinking
Learning of underserved and underrepresented
populations
Websites
 National Science Teacher Association
www.nsta.org/middleschool
 Middle School Science
www.middleschoolscience.com
 Virtual Middle School Library
http://www.sldirectory.com/teachf/sci
ed.html
Brain Pop
 Brain Pop – cartoon videos on every
topic, includes assessments
Thinking Maps
 Flow Map – use a flow map to
describe the scientific method and the
steps involved in doing a lab.
A note on qualitative observations….