Inquiry Challenge

Sir Isaac Newton in describing how he practiced science said, “I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light.” An Inquiry Challenge is a “first dawning” type of lesson during which students explore a limited number of websites to discover the answer to a narrow and intriguing curriculum question.

Implementation

1. Select a topic and associated learning expectations to target through this Inquiry Challenge.

2. Complete an Inquiry Challenge template that includes:

· A single challenge question.

· Hints that can help students to focus their inquiry in the correct direction.

· A limited number of high-interest, age appropriate, unblocked websites for students to explore.

3. During the lesson the teacher’s primary role is to monitor students’ work, ask probing questions, provide assistance when students become stymied, and solve technical problems.

Classroom Management

1. If time permits, each group could be assigned a different Inquiry Challenge.

· Each Challenge investigates a separate, but interrelated question.

2. Design an appropriate assessment.

· Select a strategy that provides useful evidence to monitor student performance and evaluates the effectiveness of the lesson.

· Since this type of lesson is often used as an engagement activity, the assessment may often be used simply to assess students’ level of involvement with the task.