What is Inquiry and how does it

happen?

PYP Learning in Action at RCHK

Adrienne Jensen

ajensen@renaissance.edu.hk

PYP InquiryPYP Inquiry

PYP inquiry is structured,

purposeful inquiry that engages students actively

in their own learning.

The Teaching ContinuumThe Teaching Continuum

Discovery Learning

Unguided Inquiry

Guided Inquiry

Didactic teaching

Didactic Teaching

Concept of fact?Concept of fact?Fact:

An event or thing known to have happened or existed.

A truth verifiable from experience or observation.

An inescapable truth A reality

Concept

An idea (esp. an abstract idea) Usually very broad Are timeless and universal Can be represented by different examples that share common attributes

ConceptsConceptsA concept driven curriculum is a powerful vehicle for real learning, learning which promotes genuine

understanding and which challenges the students to engage with

important ideas.

Units of InquiryUnits of InquiryThe units of inquiry are set under

ORGANIZING THEMES

Who we are Where we are in place and time How we express ourselves How the world works How we organize ourselves Sharing the planet

Science and Technology

Social Studies (Geography, History

Society)

Personal and SocialEducation

Language

Mathematics

The Arts(Music, Drama,

Visual Arts)

Physical EducationThese subject areas are always covered within the units of inquiry

These subject areas can be a part of the unit of inquiry and can be taught as stand

alone subjects

Units of InquiryUnits of Inquiry

Using Literature to stimulate InquiryUsing Literature to stimulate Inquiry

Teachers use a range of materials to provoke thinking with students.

One of the most effective ways is by using picture story books. By using narrative, children are able to identify with characters, and their ‘journeys’ or discoveries.

This is especially effective when demonstrating the Learner Profile attributes.

The Dot is one such text.

Strategies used to promote Strategies used to promote thinkingthinking

Teachers in all classes use a variety of strategies to develop deeper thinking on the central idea or enduring understanding, and lines of inquiry. Mostly these start with a question, which is open –ended – no defined answer is attached. This then encourages exploration of the multi layers of understanding.

Examples of strategiesExamples of strategies

The workshop photos show questions and visual organisers of the information.

On the RCHK website, at:http://www.renaissance.edu.hk/content/pypYou can see a varied range of strategies for

each year level as they work through a unit of inquiry.

Developing Thinkers and Developing Thinkers and InquirersInquirers

Some questions to provoke thinking about inquiry learning:

Why is it important to develop in the ability to think and question?

At home, what can we do to ensure that this happens?