Concept-Based Inquiry in Action

Create a thinking classroom that helps students move from the factual to the conceptualConcept-Based Inquiry is a framework for inquiry that promotes deep understanding. The key is using guiding questions to help students inquire into concepts and the relationships between them. Concept-Based Inquiry in Action provides teachers with the tools and resources necessary to organize and focus student learning around concepts and conceptual relationships that support the transfer of understanding. Step by step, the authors lead both new and experienced educators to implement teaching strategies that support the realization of inquiry-based learning for understanding in any K-12 classroom.

Foreword by H. Lynn Erickson and Lois A. LanningAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsAbout the IllustratorIntroductionChapter 1: The Foundations of Concept-Based Inquiry Bringing Together Inquiry-Based and Concept-Based LearningPart 1: Exploring Inquiry-Based Learning Inquiry Approaches in Concept-Based InquiryPart 2: Exploring Concept-Based Learning Concepts as Organizers The Structures of Knowledge and Process Disciplines Draw From Knowledge and Process Pause and ReflectChapter 2: Concept-Based Inquiry A Model of Concept-Based Inquiry The Phases of Concept-Based Inquiry The Complexity of Inquiry Concept-Based Inquiry and the Inductive Approach Creating a Culture of Concept-Based Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 3: Planning for Concept-Based Inquiry What Planning Steps Support Concept-Based Inquiry? How Can Teachers Enhance Their Understanding of a Unit? What Role Do Guiding Questions Play in Concept-Based Inquiry? What Do the Phases of Concept-Based Inquiry Look Like in a Unit? Pacing in Concept-Based Inquiry How Do the Phases of Inquiry Support Teacher Planning for Concept-Based Inquiry? What Are Approaches for Making Interdisciplinary Links? Connecting to the Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 4: Engage Activating Prior Knowledge Using Engagement Strategies Using Strategies to Motivate Students Initial Questions, Initial Thinking Rethinking Our Use of Engagement Strategies Opinion-Based Strategies Experiential Strategies Discussion-Based Strategies Assessment in the Engage Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 5: Focus Using Concept Formation Strategies to Focus an Inquiry Concepts Provide Breadth and Depth Levels of Conceptual Thinking Effective Concept Formation Practices Concept Formation Strategies: Deductive and Inductive Approaches Choosing Concept Formation Strategies Assessment in the Focus Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 6: Investigate The Power of Factual Examples Case Study Approaches Focus on Skill Development A Preface to Strategies Assessment in the Investigate Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 7: Organize Making Meaning Using Organizers Cognitive Load Theory and the Importance of Organizing Representation and Conceptual Understanding Sharing Findings as a Community of Inquirers A Preface to Strategies Assessment in the Organize Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 8: Generalize An Inductive Approach to Generalizing Developing Strong Generalizations Scaffolding Thinking The Value of Recording Generalizations The Importance of Discussion A Preface to Strategies Assessment in the Generalize Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 9: Transfer Transfer That Deepens Understanding Testing and Justifying Generalizations Understanding New Events and Situations Predicting and Hypothesizing Applying Learning Taking Action Assessment in the Transfer Phase Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 10: Reflect The Power of Reflection The Reflective Cycle Building Agency Reflection Throughout the Inquiry Assessing Reflection Throughout the Inquiry Connecting Phases of Inquiry Pause and ReflectChapter 11: Concluding Thoughts A Vision for Thinking Classrooms Understand and AdaptResources Resource A. Concept-Based Inquiry Glossary of Terms Resource B. Concept-Based Inquiry Planner Resource C. Sample Concept-Based Inquiry Planner: Industrialization UnitReferencesIndex