Inquiry is active learning. Students have a choice in what they want to learn and they ask their own questions. Inquiry is all about developing curiosity in children. In other words, we want to make children excited about learning new ideas and facts.
CONTENT
It is important to note that there is still a curriculum (set content) that students follow in school. Students have choices but what they learn is based around a theme or central idea. Inquiry classes at Horizon have Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies content. In fact, we do not have specific Science or Social Studies periods. We have inquiry periods.
(Scroll to the bottom for Grade 4's content.)
The curriculum we follow is the Common Core State Standards from the United States.
STEPS
- Asking questions
- Doing research using various sources
- Presenting what they learn
- Reflecting on what they learned
- Thinking Skills - For example, they can think about different perspectives.
- Social Skills - For example, they can take on different group roles.
- Communication Skills - For example, they can share what they learned through writing.
- Self-Management Skills - For example, they can manage their time.
- Research Skills - For example, they can organize their research.
While content is important, concepts are just as important in inquiry. There are eight key concepts but here are examples for two of them.
- CAUSATION - Do they students understand cause and effect in the world around them?
- PERSPECTIVE - Do students understand there are different points of view?
Example GRADE 4 CENTRAL IDEAS AND TOPICS (2018-2019)
Term
|
Central Idea
|
Science and Social Studies Content
|
1
|
Many factors including human body
systems human body systems contribute to health.
|
Healthy
living
Components
of health
Body
systems (Skeletons and Muscles)
|
1
|
Innovation leads to discovery and
helps to develop new understanding.
|
Innovation
in technology
History
Electricity
(Circuits)
Magnets
|
2
|
Voice is a form of expression to
communicate ideas and feelings.
|
Responsibility
as humans
Making
a difference
Science
behind sound
|
2
|
Pollution exists all around us and
our choices have consequences for the environment.
|
Pollution
Protecting
the environment
States
of Matter (Solids, liquids, gases)
|
3
|
Governments make decisions that
affect its citizens.
|
Governments
Responsibilities
as citizens
|
3
|
Living
things adapt in order to survive.
|
Animal
adaptations
Human
interaction with the environment
|
PYP
You may hear PYP a lot. It stands for the Primary Years Programme which is the framework we follow at Horizon and it used all over the world. PYP is what IB offers for primary students. MYP is for middle school (junior high school) and DP is for high school.
It is centered around the idea of inquiry-based learning.
Here is a helpful website that explains some facts about the PYP in simple English:
PYP Terms Explained - An Easy Guide for Parents
