Most of my background with Inquiry Based Learning comes from York College of Pennsylvania where I completed my undergrad degree. My Teaching Science in Elementary School course was taught with this book. The instructor provided us with real opportunities to be the students. She'd provide us with materials, allow us to "play," and brainstorm what we could possibly do with the given materials. I must say the experience was exciting, freeing, and
powerful. Of course this is just one example of an inquiry based lesson, and with some know-how and creativity one could come up with endless inquiry based lessons.
Over the week, through the readings, and postings, I've regained an interest in using more inquiry based lessons. I'm reliving my own experiences with the concept, and remembering how memorable they were. However, I'm struggling with how I could implement them in my Kindergarten Language Arts lessons. So much of early reading lessons are based upon direct instruction. Writing could be an area that would be more lending to an inquiry based lesson, but my students are independent writers near the end of the school year.
I guess my interest is piqued, I want to use these types of lesson, but have no idea where to start. Good thing I've got this course, and the rest of summer vacation to plan and strategize!
With younger learners it is difficult to conduct a "full blown" inquiry lesson. Instead I would look for single activities that support the process skills (we'll work on these more during week 2).
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