The curriculum is just a starting point. It introduces students to a wide variety of topics to explore through the grades, but ultimately students may graduate and never visit another Science book about Space. I'm reluctant to say the material becomes irrelevant, but through an inquiry focused class the students are solving problems that are real to them. The skills related to creating a driving question, devising a plan, researching and organizing material are integral to everything.
Asking occurs naturally, it is why Ontario has started a play based program from Kindergarten up. Next, we teach students how to investigate & research, but it cannot stop there. Students need to harness this newly constructed knowledge and create something of their own with what they learned. Extending from this, it is important to remember that we must not keep our learning in isolation. Give students the opportunity to learn from one another. Students bring a lot to the table and discussions can stimulate great thinking.
Socrates believed compared a teachers role to that of a midwife. As teachers we are not force feeding our students knowledge, but helping coax it from them. Inspire your students and help them through the process. Trust in the bigger ideas of learning and cognitive development, opposed to the finite and limited view of worksheets and specific curriculum expectations.
In Class Examples:
What is Good Health?
Ideas ranging from the advantages and disadvantages of video games, sports, mental health and more.
How to build strong structure?
Students used limited materials, a variety of pictures and limited time on a computer to understand what goes into building strong structures/bridges/boats. Play based learning in grade 5!
How do Ailerons & Elevators help planes fly?
Building paper airplanes and testing each variable independently helps students understand the working of planes. Make mistakes, but learn from them.
