Inquiry Skills

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

To be able to form topic and sub-questions and use these to create a short report.

Note to teacher- this lesson is designed to go alongside the thematic unit students are studying 

Inquiry learning is to question

In all likelihood you did some inquiry learning in primary school. Inquiry starts with curiosity.  In your test you were offered the chance to earn points just to have questions about an image.

If you notice something or ask a question, this leads to more questions. As your questions get clearer, your thinking becomes deeper. Eventually, you find one main question to guide your investigation.

Key things historians ask about

• Significance 

• How things change over time 

• What causes things to happen and the effect they have

• Perspectives

Step 1: Topic Question

Your Topic Question should be broad enough to cover a lot of ground, like casting a wide net over an ocean. But at the same time, it should be focused enough to give you a clear direction, like aiming a spotlight on a stage. Example: Instead of asking, "What is space?" (which is too broad), you might ask, "What are the important features of our solar system?" This question still covers a lot about space, but it's focused on a specific aspect—our solar system.

Your Topic Question should be open-ended, meaning it doesn't have a simple yes or no answer. Instead, it invites you to dive deeper and discover new things.Example: Instead of asking, "What's the tallest mountain?" (which has a straightforward answer), you might ask, "How do mountains form, and why are some taller than others?" This question opens up a whole world of geological wonders to explore!

Step 2: Background Research

Look for books, articles, documentaries, videos, podcasts, or reliable websites that talk about your topic. These are like your guidebooks to the world of knowledge. Reading, watching, or listening to these sources will help you grasp the basics and understand what others have already discovered.

While you're doing your background research, take notes on important points, interesting facts, and any questions that come to mind. These notes will be like your treasure map, guiding you through your exploration and helping you remember important information along the way.