Learning by Inquiry/Explanation/Model-Building

inquiry in kindergarten by Learning by Inquiry/Explanation/Model-Building on Notainquiry in kindergartenby Joanna VillavicencioInquiry PathEach child is accountable for his or her own question, materials, recording, and work time. The structure of the work is divided into five parts:Suggestions for Improvement 1. Form a question 2. Make a plan 3. Do the investigation 4. Record and report 5. Reflect, revisit, and plan againfor the museumfor the lesson planAs they investigate, both in the classroom and out, each student learns how to observe and record information about light and color in their personal science notebooks. "Can I put the rainbow from the CD to the screen?"Form a question"I plan to use the light from the window [sunlight], a CD and a screen." I work with them by observing, questioning, supporting their efforts, and redirecting their investigations. I actively reflect their activities back to them in my own words, which helps when they report their work to others later on. I also help them manage their time. When the investigations are finished, each member of the class reports to the others. As the children tell what they observed, I write the observations on a chart. I ask students if they want to repeat their experiments or if they would rather try something else. Children approach revisiting in different ways: some try what another person did; others repeat or vary their first plan in some way. Thus the cycle of inquiry, plan, work, record, and reflect is repeated.Make a planDo the investigationRecord and report"I give mirrors to the children so they can explore the light that shines in. They enthusiastically manipulate their mirrors, experimenting and discussing their captured sunlight, spontaneously sharing and copying each other's discoveries...Once the children are comfortable using their mirrors, I give them new tools to use, such as prisms...Reflect, revisit and plan againTeacher as facilitator+ less text on exhibit signs+ more options for facilitated learning+ more ways for students to document what they have learned+ public displays for sharing discoveries+ a suggested structure or roadmap home+ structure the reporting phase so young students learn what elements are important to share (e.g. use a worksheet as a guide) + better feedback system so students refine their idea of what makes an interesting investigation(Enable JavaScript in your browser, please.)