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Experiences in Inquiry - Elementary Schools Site

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Conclusion



Five Essential Features Wrap-up Discussion

The 5 Essential Features assist us in identifying opportunities to provide students with practice using inquiry skills and knowledge about how science works.

  • Students need multiple experiences in all 5 essential features throughout the continum (it is not a hierachy).
  • It is perfectly acceptable for a lesson to focus on 1 or 2 features (you don't have to do it all at once).
  • Inquiry involves scientific questions rather than all types of questions.

Learn more about the 5 Essential Features of Inquiry:


Image of a girl observing a flower through a magnifying glass

"Essential Features of Classroom Inquiry"
PowerPoint Presentation


  DOWNLOAD the actual PowerPoint file.
 
  VIEW/PRINT from a PDF handout version of the presentation.
 
   
 



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Supporting Inquiry-Based Lessons Thru WebQuests

 

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"WebQuests" PowerPoint Presentation


  DOWNLOAD the actual PowerPoint file.
 
  VIEW/PRINT from a PDF handout version of the presentation.
 
   
 

Supportive Documents:

What are the Essential Parts of a WebQuest?

Selection Criteria for Website Evaluation

WebQuest of a WebQuest Activity

Think/Pair/Share Activity Sheet

WebQuest Resources and Links

 

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Extended Activities

number 1

WebQuests


number 2


STORM


number 3


GLOBE



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Workshop Reflections

DOWNLOAD/PRINT Inquiry Reflection Questions Organizer

    1. What is Inquiry? How can you use the 5 Essential Features in planning a classroom lesson?
    2. HOW did we use technology these two days? WHY did we use it? HOW could you use similar technology in your classroom? (include WebQuests in your discussion)
    3. What part of what we did these 2 days can you use in YOUR classroom? What roadblocks would you have in using the activities?
    4. How will you use inquiry in your classroom?

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Five Essential Features Wrap-up | Inquiry-Based Lessons Thru WebQuests
Extended Activities | Workshop Reflections

Return to Evaluation | Top of Page | Proceed to Resources & Extended Activities


This WebQuest developed by Lori Seawel, Instructional Designer and Technology Coordinator
ITS-Educational Technology, University of Northern Iowa

Contributing Authors:
Alan Czarnetzki, Professor of Earth Science & Director of STORM, University of Northern Iowa
Marcy Seavey, STEM Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa
Doreen Hayek, Projects Administrator, ITS-Educational Technology, University of Northern Iowa
Eve Halligan, Program Coordinator, Iowa Academy of Science
Lori Seawel, Instructional Designer & Technology Coordinator,
ITS-Educational Technology, University of Northern Iowa

To learn more about WebQuests, visit The WebQuest Page, maintained by Bernie Dodge
(San Diego State University), founder of the WebQuest concept.