Inquiry Maths

  Do you want to have your students do more exploration of their thinking in regard to mathematical topics but you don't know how to create the prompt to do that?  Do you look at many of the prompts you have know and think "Hmmmm?"

I found a web site with prompts that allow students to explore a certain topic.  It gives them the chance to check out different paths while doing more learning independently. 

The site has prompts for Numbers, Geometry, Algebra, and Statistics.  Each prompt has information on how to set up situations for introducing the prompt and there is information on what ideas or concepts it has students looking for.  These probes come before the lesson.

The site includes detailed information for creating your own prompts by explaining what it should and shouldn't have along with an example of how a prompt was created.  In addition, it has links on further guidance for making new prompts. 

In addition, the site provides a variety of cards such as practice a procedure, reflect on the inquiry so far, and others so students have some guidance in learning to work the prompts independently.  Most of us cannot throw students into this type of prompt without helping them learn to do it.  You have the choice of several different sets or you can learn to make your own.

Furthermore, the site explains how to assess while students are doing the inquiry, at the end of the inquiry, or after the inquiry.  There are questions, suggestions, and forms to help do this.  The idea with all this is for the student to take over directing the way the class goes but I know for my students they only want to work with worksheets and notes.  They really hate trying to learn on their own.

This is another site with inquiry based activities but the information is shared via video's which show how the teacher implemented it in the classroom.  It has examples for primary, middle, and high school students along with information for a math fair and possible problems.  I actually held a math fair many many years ago because i had a class filled with extremely low performing students and they had a blast along with those who came.  We geared it for elementary students and they all came.

Another site, the math giraffe, has entries on this topic from good questions to use, to structuring, to the benefits, to its use in geometry.  Each entry has some great information and ideas to get you started.

Honestly, I do not think my students are ready to go down this road fully but I would like to use more inquiry in my class to help them develop a deeper understanding of the material.  It is one step at a time and maybe I'll get them there. It is all a matter of doing it.