INQUIRY-BASED
LEARNING
a Differentiating Up strategy
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Learning Objectives
What are the various strategies for inquiry learning?
What do these look like in the classroom?
What is inquiry learning?
Why is it a valuable strategy for Differentiating Up?
Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) is a student-driven
approach where students...
Definition
Student questioning and investigation
Evidence-based reasoning
Teacher guidance (not direct instruction)
Communication of findings
Reflection
Key Characteristics
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USING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, HAVE STUDENTS POSE AN ESSENTIAL QUESTION OR QUESTIONS CONCERNING A GIVEN TOPIC.
Why
nvestigate
STUDENTS THEN COLLECT EVIDENCE TO EITHER PROVE OR DISPROVE THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION.
Essential Question:
"Is multiplying decimals always making the number bigger?"
What if
reate
FROM THIS INFORMATION, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE
Students conclude:
“When multiplying decimals less than 1, the product decreases because you are taking a fraction of the number.”
They are no longer just solving — they are explaining why.
How
iscuss
STUDENTS THEN PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS, DISCUSSING AND DEBATING THE RESULTS
Show
eflect
THE METACOGNITION OF THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE STUDENT LEARNED FROM THE ACTIVITY
What now
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Type
Types of Inquiry-Based Learning
Description
Project-Based
Case-Based
Problem-Based
Students work to create a product that shows mastery.
Process is king where the finish line doesn’t matter, but rather what was learned during the journey.
You get the students started with an already existing case or a scenario.
Teacher Choice:
Can be prescribed, provided a few choices, or mix and match
Student Choice:
Try to match skills and talents to the product
Competition Choice:
Might already be a predetermined product as chosen by the sponsoring orgnization
Performance Assessment
Promotes deeper understanding
Why is it good for students
Builds critical thinking skills
Encourages collaboration and communication
Increases engagement and motivation
Supports independent learning
Why is it especially good for gifted students
Pushes them into deeper thinking
Allows them to take their curiousity and imagination anywhere they want to
Encourages productive struggle, teaching grit
Provides intellectual stimulation as well as academic challenge
Differentiates naturally
Executive Functioning Skills
Case-Based Learning
Problem-Based Learning
Project-Based Learning
Tools for Indpendence
Contract
Helps keep them focused on the leaning goal and skills
Calendar
Allows them to manage their time and keep on track
Rubrics
Reminds them of the expectations and acts as a blueprint
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Examples in Language Arts
Problem-Based
Case-Based
Project-Based
False information about a local event is spreading on social media. How can you counter this
Produce a short story using digital storytelling with visuals, narration, or animation.
A short story shows a character who lies to protect a friend. Explain if it was justified
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Examples in Social Studies
Problem-Based
Case-Based
Project-Based
A country was hit by a hurricane. Design a relief plan considering shelter, food, and medical needs.
Community awareness campaign where you create posters, social media content, or a video to raise awareness about an issue.
You are a colonist during the American Revolution deciding whether to support independence from England.
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Examples in Math
Problem-Based
Case-Based
Project-Based
A family is moving to a new apartment. Their monthly income is $3,500.
They must budget for necessaities
Design a mini golf course built to scale with measurements, angles, and trajectories
The school wants to do a fundraiser. Make a suggestion and explain why it would be profitable
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Examples in Science
Problem-Based
Case-Based
Project-Based
A school wants to reduce electricity usage by 25%. How can then accomplish this
Build and maintain a small garden, tracking plant growth and soil conditions.
A teenager feels tired, dizzy, and weak. Their diet mostly includes junk food and very little iron-rich food. Create a meal plan for them to improve health
Inquiry puts the responsibility of learning on the student
Takeaways
Because of this they can start where they are currently at
This means decisions in content, process, and product
Without a ceiling, students can level up to where they are capable