Today we worked on the students inquiry projects again. It’s very interesting to see how they are forming and the brain storming that is happening around how to present their projects. The teacher is trying to get them away from just doing a plain poster so there was ideas about theme shaped posters, diagrams, models, live games or demos, one student is even making a website. I thought it was really refreshing to see the teacher trying to get the students to think out of the box. Watching the students finally getting somewhere with there projects inspired me to introduce another inquiry type project during my practicum. I am doing two units in science, one on plants and one on animals. Within this I am thinking about giving the students some choice to choose an animal, for the grade twos and a plant for the grade threes, and then do an inquiry project on those topics they chose. I think that the students choice will make for more vibrant projects.
It really is exciting to watch students become engaged and involved in projects they choose. Student choice in learning is motivating and often very successfully draws in reluctant learners. It is great that you intend to do some inquiry based units!!