Dear Parents
I can't believe that we made it to December! It is truly hard to believe that the school year is almost halfway over.
I have been meeting with students in the 6th grade for WISE time. Next semester, starting in January, I will begin meeting with the 7th grade student who were identified for AIG services in the area of reading during WISE time. We will be reading the book Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse. I am truly looking forward to this! I will keep copies of this book, here at school. We will be reading this book in class and taking part in activities related to the themes and characters in it.
I hope you have a great day!
What does this look like at home, and how can families introduce inquiry-based learning into their daily routines? Below are some suggestions for the promotion of this learning style, at home!
1. Foster Curiosity and Ask Open-Ended Questions
- Encourage Big Questions: Start conversations by asking open-ended questions that spark curiosity. For example, instead of asking, “What did you learn in school today?” try “What is something you’ve been wondering about lately?” or “What do you think would happen if…?” These types of questions prompt deeper thinking and can lead to extended research and exploration.
2. Create Opportunities for Exploration and Investigation
- Explore Museums, Zoos, or Exhibits: Take trips to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, or even art galleries, and encourage your children to ask questions about what they see. Use these trips as opportunities for inquiry-based learning, letting your children lead with their questions and discovering information together.
3. Provide Resources and Materials for Research
- Encourage Self-Directed Learning: Gifted children, in particular, may enjoy the freedom of choosing what they want to learn. Allow them to research a topic that excites them, providing minimal structure but encouraging self-driven inquiry and learning. They could research topics like space exploration, ancient civilizations, or how things are made.
4. Encourage Reflection and Critical Thinking
- Discuss Findings Together: After exploring a question or topic, engage your child in a discussion about what they discovered. Ask them to explain their findings, how they arrived at their answers, and what they learned during the process. This reflection helps deepen an understanding of topics your child is uniquely interested in.
5. Facilitate Independent Projects
- Support Open-Ended Projects: Encourage projects that allow for open-ended exploration, such as designing a new invention, creating an artwork based on an idea, or building a model of a favorite place. These projects give children the freedom to experiment, learn, and adapt.
8. Encourage Collaboration and Discussion
- Collaborate on Family Projects: Work together as a family on projects that require investigation. For example, you could research ways to improve energy efficiency at home, explore a new culture, or plan a family volunteer project, involving the children in gathering information and making decisions.
