Inquiry Science in Middle School

1
Inquiry Science in Middle School

• presented by
• Dianne Cellini and Betsy Sanford
• Barber Middle School
• 2007-2008

2
Orange you glad you teach science?

• Divide your paper into three columns.
• In the first column, list as many observations as
  possible about the picture of an orange.
• In the second column, list as many observations
  as possible about the model orange.
• In the third column, list as many observations
  about the unpeeled real orange as possible.
• Peel the real orange and continue listing as many
  observations as possible in the third column.
• Which column has the most observations? Why?
• Which type of learning is most effective two
  dimensional abstract or three dimensional
  concrete?
• What happens when you combine both types of
  learning 2D and 3D?

3
Orange you glad you teach science?
4
Essential Questions

• What is inquiry science?
• What is the research basis for the inquiry
  instructional model?
• Where should middle school students be on the
  inquiry continuum?
• What are some examples of inquiry lessons?
• How can inquiry science be implemented?
• How can inquiry science be assessed?

5
What is inquiry science?

• Familiar buzz words that apply
• Student-centered
• Teacher as facilitator
• Hands-on
• Minds-on
• Engagement
• May also be known as or similar to
• Georgia Critical Thinking Strategies
• Mystery Inquiry
• Inductive Learning

6
Research Basis Web Resources

• http//www.nwrel.org/msec/science_inq/whatisinq.ph
  p
• Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory,
  Portland
• http//www.materialsworldmodules.org/pedagogy/inqu
  iry_continuum.shtml - Materials World Modules,
  Northwestern University - levels
• http//www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/resources/classro
  om/inquiry_based.html - Exploratorium, Palace of
  Fine Arts, San Francisco - looks
• http//www.sln.org/resources/index.html - Science
  Learning Network
• http//www.phy.ilstu.edu/programs/ptefiles/311cont
  ent/inquiry/inquiry.html - Carl Wenning -
  resistance
• http//carbon.cudenver.edu/mryder/itc_data/idmode
  ls.html - Instructional Design Models, University
  of Colorado, Denver

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Research Basis

• Continuum
• http//www.k12.wa.us/conferences/summerinstitute20
  05/materials/DELGADILLOTRANFORMING2.pdf - State
  of Washington
• Lab analysis tool

8
The Long and The Short of It

• Physical Science
• 1 Demonstrating Newtons Laws
• Sanfords Lab
• Sanfords Presentations
• Sanfords Rubric
• Cellinis Group Project
• Cellinis Student Evaluations
• Cellinis Rubric
• 2 Marshmallows Under Pressure
• This is a great introduction, formative
  assessment, exit ticket, or even the beginnings
  of an essay on laws of air pressure.
• It is simple to set up.
• All you need to ask is Whats happening and
  why?
• You can include specific vocabulary such as
  pressure, force, Boyles law, Charles law, etc.
  for students to use in their explanations.

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The Long and The Short of It

• Life Science
• 1 Cell City
• Forum
• Instructions
• Museum
• 2 Nature Puzzlers, Look Out Below! (by
  Lawrence Hillman)

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The Long and The Short of It

• Earth Science
• 1 Plate Tectonics Lab
• Cellinis Lab
• 2 Gustav Holst The Planets Suites
• Classical Inquiry
• MIDI files

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Classroom Management

• Planning and Preparation
• Find a buddy and share the load
• Convert your favorite labs - one at a time
• Prepare ahead
• Materials and Supplies
• Clear, labeled storage bins
• File crates for reusable printed, laminated
  materials
• Carts with wheels, baskets of supplies
• Flexible Grouping
• Singles, pairs, threes, fours, and more
• Give each student a job student roles
• Lab Safety
• Just because the students are generating their
  own concepts does not mean you can sit behind
  your desk they are going to need your guidance.
• If theyre engaged, Im engaged!
• Learn with them you are truly a facilitator when
  practicing inquiry science instruction you will
  need to be content-ready to help guide and focus
  the students explorations.

12
Assessment

• Rubrics
• Assessing the lab.
• Assessing a composition book.
• Exit Tickets
• A quick check on an index card or scrap paper.
• What happened and why? What does this prove?
• May include specific vocabulary.
• Probes (NSTA)
• Uncover misconceptions.
• Determine current thought processes.
• Writing prompt and essay test questions.
• Vocabulary
• Tic-Tac-Know
• Word Sort

13
Wrap Up

• EQ reflection have we answered them?
• What questions do you, the audience, have?
• Thank you! ?

14
Supply List

• 10 each real and plastic oranges
• 10 syringes with caps, play-dough
• 10 marshmallows
• 10 each markers, highlighters, pens
• 10 baskets
• 10 sticky note pads, ruled note pads
• Candy
• Carrying bags
• Colored file folders
• Handouts

15
Now, its your turn

• Try converting one of your labs or one of the
  provided labs to the inquiry format using the lab
  analysis tool.