INSTRUCTIONAL INQUIRY (sample)
Engage together in challenges (problems) of practice so that understanding of those challenges grows deeper and is more unified.
Through investigations, proposed solutions emerge that are then tested to see if they help… Through such a repeated process,
practice grows more sophisticated and powerful… (Katz & Dack, 2013, adapted from Supovitz, 2006)
Complete a plan for each grouping or category of greatest student learning needs that has emerged from the review of student
work. Use neutral, exploratory language.
Area Of Student Learning
Need
Problem Solving
Inquiry Question:
What’s the INSTRUCTIONAL
LEARNING and Why?
Teacher Learning Need(s) related to
Students
-Determine most effective problem
solving model and strategies
Focus on Instructional Core
Teacher: H. Kolodziej
Student: 3/4
Content:
How do I…
Teach students to use the Math problem solving process and apply a variety of strategies to
attempt to persevere through difficult mathematic problems?
Why?
To build independence to solve math problems and other problems that arise in the classroom
Working Hypothesis/ Global Theory of Action: (What do you think it will take to move forward i.e. what’s “the next best move”…
IF I do this, THEN this should happen)
If I model the problem solving process then students will be able to persevere through
challenging math tasks in the classroom?
PLAN – ACT – ACCESS – REFLECT … a 4-6 week cycle of inquiry
My Next Best Move
(What will I do next
instructionally?)
-Diagnostic to determine
student understanding of how
to solve a math problem
(compare to post assessment)
-Explicitly introduce the
goal/focus to the class
Success Criteria
(What will success for that
“move” look like?)
-growth in student
understanding of models and
strategies they can use to
tackle a problem as seen
through attitude survey and
student work
-students begin to use
-Co-construct anchor chart
problem solving models and
aligned with “best practice”
strategies to begin to solve
problem solving strategies and problems independently
models
-Explicitly model use of
problem solving steps and
strategies
Evidence – Impact
(Where will I look to
determine the success of my
move? What is the student
work supporting this?)
-post assessment task to see if
student understanding &
attitudes about problem
solving have changed
-Examine student work for
evidence of problem solving
models and strategies
-
Reflection
(What did I learn from the
move?)