Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Letting the Students Run the Show: Student-Led Inquiry
- How does the weather change?
- What kinds of weather are there?
- How can you check the weather?
- How can you catch the sun?
| Me: | (Reading the student's question.) This inquirer wants to know, "How can you catch the sun?" |
| Student #1: | That's mine. |
| Student #2: | (Shakes his head.) You can't catch the sun. |
| Me: | Tell us more. |
| Student #1 | Uh-huh. You get a cowboy and he get his um rope thing and he go like this (makes a lasso motion awfully close to Student #3). |
| Student #4: | Bird catch the sun. |
| Student #1: | Aint no bird catch the sun. Cowboy. Cowboy catch the sun. |
At first glance, you might think I led my students astray. I, myself, was starting to wonder where this was going to end up. But the information they provided was priceless. Student #2 understands that the sun is really far away, too far to be lassoed in. Clearly, I need to teach about how far away the sun is, how big it is, and how darn hot it is. What would happen to the rope or the poor bird that tried to grab the sun?
This also provided some information about how my students tackle problems. Student #1 clearly is a risk-taker and is willing to try a creative solution. Student #2 applies prior knowledge and logic to his problem-solving. Student #4 needs to see an example before he takes a leap. He then uses his prior knowledge to take on the problem.
Yes, we have our work cut out for us. But when the kids decide what they want to learn, the motivation is built in. And we have touched on most of the learning standards for the unit by using their questions.
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3 comments:
This looks like fun, but would it work on high school students?
PapaD19, thanks for inquiring. At the high school level, inquiry may be more independent and project-based. Students will often be conducting their own research to answer their questions. You can narrow the focus by providing parameters such as giving a topic, but allowing students to choose a specific question to answer. Students of all ages tend to prefer quelling their natural curiousity rather than being told what to do.
I'll have to get brave one day soon and give this as try. =)
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