T.I.P.S. Inquiry Institute

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T.I.P.S. Inquiry Institute

• Ashlye V. Rumph-Geddis
• Ph.D. Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant

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Group Conversation

• We are going to begin todays segment with a
  group conversation. Please answer the two
  following questions in your group.

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Group Conversations

• Q Which of these actions will help keep your
  home the coolest in the summer?
• opening and closing the refrigerator a lot
• turning off the tv, computer, radios, games,
  etc.
• opening the windows during the day
• closing the shades or blinds over the windows
• Q You see your reflection in a mirror because
• light is absorbed
• light is diffracted
• light is reflected
• light is refracted

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Please stand

• If you received an item from me during your group
  conversation time.

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Please share

• What were you all doing when I came by?

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Common Fears/Concerns

• Teachers dont want to lose control of the
  classroom
• Managing behaviors during projects
• Keeping students on task
• Lack of time for inquiry projects
• Lack of human and physical resources
• Require additional time with planning
• Refer to the article Teaching Against the Grain
  for additional information.

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Class Activity

• All of you have a set of cards on your tables.
  With your group members, put the cards in order
  so that the pictures tell a story. Please be sure
  you can justify your choices based on evidence
  from the cards.

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Activity Reflection

• What was productive about the conversations
  during this activity?
• What could you add to enhance the productive talk
  during the activity?

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Inquiry Tips

• Have students engage in group conversations about
  the topic. Keep them on task during this time
  period.
• Have students explore a subject before giving
  them the explanations/answers.
• Allow students to answer other students questions
  before doing so.
• Allow students to master concepts rather than
  remember facts.
• Engage students in open-ended questions and
  discussions versus yes/no questions and
  discussions.
• Focus students on supporting their comments
  (claims) with evidence
• Allow communication to be a conversation.

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• Refer to the Making Thinking Visible Chapter 5
  page 91, 95-96
• Discuss these suggestions for productive talk and
  setting up classroom norms with your table group.

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The End!

• Enjoy the Inquiry Process!