To remember:

• Certain topics lend themselves better to certain investigation techniques!!

• The younger the children and the less experience they have with investigations, the more direction they will need!

Webbing with children

• Visual support-after reading book, using photographs, using actual objects

• Environment-large group, small group, snack, centers

• Timing-can do a LITTLE at a time over the course of a couple days.

• Support-translators with 2nd language learners

Field site visit

• Differs from a field trip• Requires much more prep• Children have a “goal” or “job” • You must visit site beforehand-check

hours/access• Bring clipboards, pencils, sharpener and

tape

Photographs

• Create a display board WITH captions• Create a classroom book (demonstrate

process)• Use for observational drawings • Use as a reference point-return to them

regularly

Interviews

• Site personnel need to be prepared (make sure they are aware of your goals)

• Assign verbal children to ask question• Break into groups• Choral questioning• Use of props• Practice at school with peers/other staff

More about interviews

• Some adults are not used to talking to children

• You must be ready to interject

• Use “talking to the children” to guide your speaker

Collecting Artifacts

• Ask permission ahead of time

• Ask other teachers for resources

• Set up a dramatic play area where children can act out what they saw

• Listen carefully to the children-this is how deeper curriculum is developed

Tallies & graphs

• Teach how to draw a tally

• Keep and display graphs

• Use as a reference point-return to them regularly

Observational Drawings

• Will NOT be representational from a adult’s perspective

• You embellish & expand with your language

• Display in the classroom!

• Do more than once (time 2 drawings)

Family Involvement

• Have families bring in an artifact

• Organize a show,or play

• Have families complete a survey (we went out to eat)

Other investigation techniques

• Small scale construction

• Large scale construction

• Dramatic play

• List of quotes and questions

Organizational Strategies

• “One bit” a day-curriculum does not have to permeate the entire classroom

• Small groups that rotate daily• Use snack time• Set up a specific center• Use your web and list of questions…it will

help guide you• Each day builds upon the next-you will write a

daily paragraph, summarizing your work.

Consider…

• Knowledge moves from the known to the unknown

• Children can be the experts

• Children will be more interested in certain aspects of the curriculum