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Nice Try

 

This week, I have been learning about the 5E Model of Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning. The 5Es refers to a set of 5 phases that teachers can use for an inquiry-based method of teaching. They are Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. These phases are not necessarily linear and can be incorporated within many content areas. There are many benefits for students and teachers alike.


I think I have begun experiencing them personally. I can explain.

The overarching task to complete for this class is to create and teach two Inquiry Lesson Cycle Plans- one for Science and the other for Social Studies. So, the professor set up the task for us to choose topics for each, including the Colorado Content Standards and Student Friendly Objectives. It's pretty open-ended.  Well, I spoke to my mentor teacher at my field placement and quickly came up with an idea for a science topic. We found something in the current curriculum that the teacher has used before. For Social Studies, I did some thinking on my own.

I got Engaged with coming up with a lesson. When students are doing an inquiry-based lesson, I have read that they need a variety of tools to use to help extend their thinking about the topics. As I woke up one morning, I recalled all of the things we had done and used as we prepared for Veteran's Day. We read Scholastic News articles, read books, wrote essays, used sign language, sang songs, saw and handled real uniforms, and even had an assembly to honor veterans from our community! Above, you might notice a couple of examples of the writing we did that I gathered to use for my planning. I was so excited, until...

...My mentor teacher Explained that  Veteran's Day is not part of a kindergarten Colorado Content Standard. She showed me how to get to the place online where she found her evidence:

    Open LPS Homepage> go to Menu> pick Academics> then choose Curriculum> select Elementary> then Kindergarten > followed by Social Studies> and then read the page.

Nice try. My plan to use Veteran's Day stopped dead in it's tracks. 

So, now I'm back to Exploring to see what else I will come up with to use for my lesson. I'm glad my mentor teacher was able to Elaborate for me how the Veteran's Day unit we had done was for a writing standard rather than a Social Studies one. I sure learned I need to  Evaluate my next idea by checking the Colorado Content Standards before I proceed with the next topic I choose.

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My Story

  Hello everyone! My name is Angela Diedrichs. I am enthusiastic to begin learning about inquiry-based social studies and science with you. This topic is new to me, so I have a lot to learn. I'm currently working on earning a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with Initial Licensure and a CLD endorsement.  I am currently working as an instructional paraprofessional at a suburban school.  My role has me in a kindergarten class serving 23 5 and 6-year-olds, including five who are MLLs. I love it! My mentor teacher, Ms. V, and I have been paired up for many years, and she is excited to mentor me and help me take this step toward becoming a licensed teacher.   I have worked as a paraprofessional for many years. During the pandemic, I had a chance to act in the role of classroom teacher for a large portion of one school year. I admit the days were challenging- delivering lessons, reflecting on them, and adjusting the plans; keeping records and making sure everyo...
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