•Levels of Inquiry and the 5 E’s Learning Cycle

Intermediate Science:Best Practices & Research

Base

What Does the Research Say?

1. Read Levels of Inquiry and the 5 E’s Learning Cycle by Judith Lederman.

2. Identify 3 key points.

3. Pair up with a shoulder partner.

4. Share your key points.

Read

Act Like a Scientist!Four Levels of Inquiry:

ExploreDirectedGuidedOpen

Materials:Student Inquiry Activities (CPALMS) Science NotebookANY OPPORTUNITY to Explore Science…

Four Levels of InquiryExplore

Directed InquiryTeacher-centered approachCook book type activities

Guided InquiryTeacher guides studentsStudents make choicesStudents can manipulate variables

Open InquiryStudent-centered approachStudents create questions and plan

procedures

Levels of Scientific Inquiry

Level Problem / Question Procedure Solution

Explore Given Given Given

Directed Given Given ?

Guided Given ? ?

Open ? ? ?

GuidedInquiry

Directed Guided Open

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Leveled Inquiry: Teacher and Student Roles

How much is given to students to structure investigations?

Explore

1. Introduce• Tap Prior Knowledge• Connect to the Big Idea

2. Build Vocabulary• Science Process Words

3. Guide the Investigation4. Explain and Conclude 5. Reflect and Assess 6. Extend

(Engage)

(Explore)(Explain)

(Evaluate)

(Elaborate)

Directed – Guided - Open

1. Introduce• Tap Prior Knowledge• Connect to the Big Idea

2. Build Vocabulary• Science Process Words

3. Guide the Investigation4. Explain and Conclude5. Reflect and Assess6. Find Out More

(Engage)

(Explore)(Explain)

(Evaluate)(Elaborate)

Level 1: EXPLORE

Question:How far will a ball roll on a flat surface?

1.Take out the ball & place on a flat surface.

2.Blow on the ball to make it roll.

3.Use the ruler to measure how far the ball rolls & record your results.

Hands-on Practice!

Problem: How far will the ball roll on different surfaces?

1.Place the ball on one end of the felt.

2.Blow on the ball to make it roll.

3.Use the ruler to measure how far the ball rolls & record your results.

4.Repeat with wax paper and sand paper.

Level 2: DIRECTED INQUIRY (The Teacher Centered / Cookbook Approach)

Hands-on Practice!

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Level 3: GUIDED INQUIRY (Students make choices / Manipulates Variables)

Question: How does an incline affect the way the ball rolls?

Hands-on Practice!

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Level 4: OPEN INQUIRY (Student-Centered Approach)

Choose a question, or make up one of your own.

1.How can you change how far the ball travels?

2.What happens if you use a different size/type of ball?

Hands-on Practice!

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Write About an Investigation

Time to ProcessHow do the four levels of Inquiry help students build

confidence and competence in scientific thought and inquiry?

Managing the Investigation

TimingGroupingAdvance preparationWhat to ExpectTeaching Tips

Inquiry Instruction: Teacher Supports

1. Look through the Inquiry Activities (CPALMS, AIMS, etc.)

2. Identify the teaching supports provided.

3. Share your findings with a partner.

Thank You!