Chapters International

Overview:

In this practical workshop, participants have the opportunity to clarify their understanding of what it really means to use an inquiry based approach to teaching and learning in the primary / elementary classroom. Over two interactive days, teachers examine the essential elements of inquiry and how these elements can be 'brought to life' through quality planning, use of materials, choice of teaching strategies and interactions with students. Participants explore the conditions that best 'set the scene' for productive inquiry learning and the way in which we can be 'inquiring teachers' throughout our classroom program as well as within the context of inquiry-based 'units of work.' In addition to demonstrating many useful teaching strategies for the inquiring classroom, Kath takes teachers through her widely-used model for planning and teaching inquiry and shows how it can be adapted to builds students' understandings and interdisciplinary skills – particularly in the areas of thinking, collaboration, self management, research and communication. Practical examples from a wide range of settings are shared with teachers and they also have the opportunity to frame up plans to use back in their classroom.

Objectives:

Through this workshop, participants will gain:

A deeper understanding of how to use inquiry based approaches classroom
A broader repertoire of quality teaching strategies and techniques to help build students' skills as inquirers.
Greater familiarity with and understanding of a model for designing powerful units of inquiry
Strategies for planning and teaching that encourage students to become increasingly independent as inquirers
Ideas for assessing growth in students' understandings and skills in the context of inquiry
Opportunities for reflection, collaboration and planning

Methodology:

This workshop balances interactive and hands-on methods with opportunities for participants to hear and see examples of inquiry in practice from a range of settings. A combination of individual and collaborative tasks is used over the two days and teachers will benefit from being able to view inquiry in action through photos, video clips and work samples. The emphasis is on the practical however reference to supporting theory and research will be made with further reading available to teachers who wish to follow this up. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own practice throughout the two days using techniques that can also be applied to students. The general atmosphere is non-threatening and engaging and participants are encouraged to discuss and share ideas with each other as they make connections to their classrooms and students.

Agenda:

Day 1

Session 1

Introduction and overview of the program
Bringing the learner voice into inquiry
Establishing prior knowledge and 'early thinking'

Session 2

Creating a culture of inquiry through the use of materials and effective procedures
Identifying the key features of the inquiring classroom and strategies that support these

Session 3

The art of questioning in the inquiry classroom - questions and questioning technique that work!
Building students' capacity for questioning
Teaching the transdisciplinary skills essential to inquiry
Review and reflection

Day 2

Session 1

Introducing a framework / cycle for planning for inquiry
Exploring ways this framework can and should be adapted according to the contexts and needs of the students
Examining different 'types' of inquiry units - planned, spontaneous, short and long term, whole class and individual
Using big questions and understanding goals

Session 2

Practical strategies to accompany the broad phases of inquiry - from teacher guided to more independent learning

Session 3

A range of options available to participants - according to need and interest - time for planning, feedback on plans, exploration of resources, further examination of strategies and classroom materials
Reflection and course evaluation.

Potential Audience:

This workshop is ideally suited to generalist teachers working with students aged 4 - 13 in the primary / elementary classroom. Many of the strategies and techniques explored in the workshop can also be adapted by specialist teachers.

Kath Murdoch

Kath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America and Europe. She is widely respected for her work in the field of inquiry based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for well over 25 years.

Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne, Australia. Her fascination in how students' constructed their understandings - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon lead to a passion for integrative and inquiry based methodologies. This passion has become a career-long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specialises are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world - including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program.

Critical to Kath's success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning.

Kath's professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her home town of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath's style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching.

Venue:
Shanghai

8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Registration at 8.00 am
on the 24th October 2020.