T.I.P.S. Inquiry InstituteAshlye V. Rumph-Geddis

Ph.D. Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant

Group Conversation

We are going to begin today’s segment with a group conversation. Please answer the two following questions in your group.

Group Conversations

Q: Which of these actions will help keep your home the coolest in the summer? opening and closing the refrigerator a lot turning off the tv, computer, radios, games, etc. opening the windows during the day closing the shades or blinds over the windows

Q: You see your reflection in a mirror because: light is absorbed light is diffracted light is reflected light is refracted

Please stand…

If you received an item from me during your group conversation time.

Please share

What were you all doing when I came by?

Common Fears/Concerns:

Teachers don’t want to lose control of the classroom

Managing behaviors during projects

Keeping students on task

Lack of time for inquiry projects

Lack of human and physical resources

Require additional time with planning

Refer to the article Teaching Against the Grain for additional information.

Class Activity

All of you have a set of cards on your tables. With your group members, put the cards in order so that the pictures tell a story. Please be sure you can justify your choices based on evidence from the cards.

Activity Reflection:

What was productive about the conversations during this activity?

What could you add to enhance the productive talk during the activity?

Inquiry Tips:

Have students engage in group conversations about the topic. Keep them on task during this time period.

Have students explore a subject before giving them the explanations/answers.

Allow students to answer other students questions before doing so.

Allow students to master concepts rather than remember facts.

Engage students in open-ended questions and discussions versus yes/no questions and discussions.

Focus students on supporting their comments (claims) with evidence

Allow communication to be a conversation.

Refer to the Making Thinking Visible –Chapter 5 page 91, 95-96

Discuss these suggestions for productive talk and setting up classroom norms with your table group.

The End!

Enjoy the Inquiry Process!