INQUIRY CIRCLES

FOR MATH

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Currently I am taking my masters classes through MSU to earn a literature specialist endorsement.

During one class we were presented with the concept of inquiry circles and the benefits that they provide to students.

I thought many times while reading the inquiry circle book, “It would be amazing to apply these same concepts to mathematics curriculum.”

WHAT IS AN INQUIRY CIRCLE?

An inquiry circle is a small peer-led research group that is responding to student driven questions.

They encourage students to explore, gather information, plan, analyze, interpret, synthesize, problem solve, take risks, create, conclude, document, reflect on learning, and develop new questions for further inquiry.

Sackatchewan Online Curriculum, 2011, pg 2 Zosky, Schwab, & Fedorcha, slide 4

EXAMPLE OF AN INQUIRY CIRCLE

Inquiry: Antarctica Building prior knowledge/background

knowledge Cross curricular integration Asking Questions Research Conclusion/Presentation

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INQUIRY CIRCLES?

All students: Construct deep knowledge and understanding

rather than passively receiving it Are directly involved and engaged in the

discovery of new knowledge Encounter alternative perspectives and

conflicting ideas that transform prior knowledge and experience into deep understanding

Transfer new knowledge and skills to new circumstances

Take ownership and responsibility for their ongoing learning and mastery of curriculum content and skills

Kuhlthau & Toddm 2008, pg.1

BENEFITS OF SMALL GROUP WORK

Lifelike Generate energy for challenging work In small groups we are smarter Diversity is an asset Engaged, interactive learning Differentiated instruction

Harvey & Daniels 2009

WHAT DO INQUIRY CIRCLES LOOK LIKE?

Managed choice for students Article General problem of choice

Mini-lessons Strategies for reasearch Small group communication

Classroom arrangement Desks in groups for discussion and group work Supplies readily available for all

Zosky, Schwab, & Fedorcha, slide 6

APPLING INQUIRY CIRCLES TO MATH

In mathematics, inquiry heavily encompasses problem solving. Problem solving includes processes to get from

what is known to discover what is unknown. When teachers show students how to solve a

problem and then assign similar problems, the students are just practicing.

Well formulated questions are broad in scope and rich in possibility.

Sackatchewan Online Curriculum, 2011, pg 2

MATHEMATICS EXAMPLE

Question: Evelyn is reading about Windermere Castle in Scotland. Many years ago, when prisoners were held in various cells in the dungeon area, they began to dig passages connecting each cell to each of the other cells in the dungeon. If there were 20 cells in all, what is the fewest number of passages that had to be tunneled out over the years?

MATH INQUIRY QUESTIONS

Should: Help students make sense of the mathematics Are open ended in either answer or approach Require the application of facts and procedures Encourage students to make connections and

generalizations Lead students to wonder more about a topic

Schuster & Canavan Anderson, 2005, pg 3

OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS WEB SITES

Here are two really good websites where you can find good open-ended questions covering a variety of math concepts: http://www.fi.edu/school/math2/index.html http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/ARSI/www.uky.edu

/pub/arsi/openresponsequestions/mathorg.pdf

Find one good question. Describe how you envision your students

participating in an inquiry circle related to that question.

EXAMPLES FROM THE CLASSROOM

Go to: http://www.learner.org/resources/series13.html

Once here there are a variety of math lessons that you can watch as examples of what an inquiry circle might look like.

Are there any questions?

REFERENCES

Harvey, S., & Daniels, H. (2009). Inquiry Circles in Actions. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Kuhlthau, C., & Todd, R. (2008). Guided Inquiry: A framework for learning through school libraries in the 21st century schools. Newark, NJ: Rutgers University.

Saskatchewan Online Curriculum. (2011). Inquiry in Mathematics. Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.

Schuster, L., & Canacan Anderson, N. (2005). Good questions for math teaching: Why ask them and what to ask, Grades 5-8. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions Publications.

Zosky, D., Schwab, S., & Fedorcha, L. Literature Circles II.