People explore their world in many ways: they observe, they read, they ponder, they write, they listen. They also turn to others and intentionally engage them in their own attempts to understand. It is this turning-to-others that is the focus of this book, with reference to children. An act of inquiry is defined in the book as "a language act…

In order for students to experience science as scientists do, they must learn the skills of inquiry. This paper examines inquiry as a way of learning science and presents strategies to promote inquiry in teaching science. A model of progression of inquiry skills from grades K-2 to 3-5 is presented and the skills are aligned with the Massachusetts…

This book identifies the teacher's role and provides guidance on the motivation of students, teaching strategies, questioning techniques, and the assessment of student learning for effective teaching. Chapters include: (1) "Why Science? What Science?"; (2) "Bringing Children and Science Together"; (3) "The Right Question at the Right Time" (Jos…

The second in a series of articles concerning the pros and cons of whether it is better to use questioning as part of the teaching device or not to question during discussion focuses on the most effective nonquestioning techniques. Alternatives to questioning are given. (JN)

Presents activities that use the learning cycle to engage students in meaningful inquiries in the study of Mendelian genetics. Includes content-related background and teaching tips for each phase of the learning cycle. (JRH)

An illustration of the cognitive theory of inquiry teaching is presented in this paper in a tutorial dialogue on the nature of lenses. After a description of the goals of the method, the paper discusses the following ten general strategies inquiry teachers use to accomplish the goals: (1) selecting positive and negative exemplars, (2) varying…

Argues that the capacity to read and derive benefit from literature involves an interaction of at least three related abilities--aesthetic reading, reflecting, and problem solving. Offers an inquiry approach to teaching literature as one way to promote student development of these abilities. (RL)

Summarizes research on inquiry and investigative strategies for teaching laboratory science. Concludes that meaningful laboratory instruction is distinguished by: student engagement in science inquiry processes, student manipulation of experimental materials, and the experiential teaching of specific scientific concepts. (RT)

The author categorizes the stages and skills of independent inquiry: the motivation to inquire; skills essential to setting up an inquiry; and modes of concluding an inquiry or verifying a hypothesis. He draws curriculum implications for developing independent learners. (SJL)

Discusses curriculum for students with hearing impairments is discussed by using a paradigm of practical curriculum inquiry-based humanistic principles with a primary focus on self-understanding. Curriculum is viewed as being socially grounded and constructed. This reconceptualization of curriculum is based on the fundamental elements of teachers,…

This Digest discusses Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a method developed by H.S. Barrows (1986), and originally created to prepare medical students for real-world problems by letting them solve medical problems based on real cases. The Digest contends that PBL can situate language learning in the real world by posing problems like those found in…

A model for teaching social studies by the discovery approach is presented. The authors maintain that the temporal inquiry teaching model holds considerable promise for encouraging student enthusiasm, emphasizing higher cognitive levels, and stimulating divergent student thinking and activity. (Author/DB)

Finds volumes of research on questioning and none on discussion. Defines discussion and presents concepts and techniques that facilitate it in the classroom. Recommends the need for further research. (MD)

The soliciting-and-reacting-moves questioning technique used in science classrooms is described. The importance of using both higher-order and lower-level questions during a lesson is discussed. An example of a dialogue between a student and teacher using this technique is included. (KR)

The I-Search is an inquiry-based process that compels students to move away from the traditional research report format in which they restate old information, empowering them and bringing out their curiosity and love of learning while laying a foundation for building a community of lifelong learners. Using the I-Search process, children move from…