1. Inquirybuildsonachild’snatural curiosity.The studentbecomesresponsibleforhis/herlearning.
Questionsthatprovide the structure forinstitutinginquiryinthe classroominclude:
“What do youwant to learnabout?”
“What do youwant to know?”
“Do you know whatyou don’tknow?”
“I wonder_____________________.”
“Do you think_______________________.”
Inquiryismore aboutprocessthan product.It isabout how to formulate questions,how tomake
observations,howtodevelopthe thoughtprocess.It isfindingouthow we create knowledge.Itis
connectingevidence toexplanations.
The difference betweenthe interactionsbetweenteachersandstudentsdoinginquiryisthatteachers
are listeningandaskingquestions.Studentsare invitedintodiscourse withthe teacherandwitheach
other.Since inquiryrequiresalearningcommunity,studentsare comfortablediscussinganddisagreeing
withone another.