Great framework for Inquiry Based Learning

I am putting together resources to get teachers started on using inquiry based learning strategies in their classrooms. Our school is K-9 and this article is more written for high school in... See More

I am putting together resources to get teachers started on using inquiry based learning strategies in their classrooms. Our school is K-9 and this article is more written for high school instruction but I like it because it gives the lower grade teachers more of an idea of what they are preparing their students for in their educational future.

CBIL or Problem Based Learning in the Community

First, the article references an elementary level on the front home page, but this article is written as lesson plan ideas for high school students. Yet, having said that, the ideas present... See More

First, the article references an elementary level on the front home page, but this article is written as lesson plan ideas for high school students. Yet, having said that, the ideas presented in this article could easily be adapted for middle and elementary grade level students. The Community Based Inquiry Lessons (CBIL) as described in the article sound the same as Problem Based Learning lessons, with an emphasis on community. CBIL help students develop scientific knowledge within a simulated real-life scenario. The article also addresses the social value of using CBILs in the classroom. CBILs give students ownership of their learning, while helping develop an understanding on how science works in the community. The article provides examples on how to run one, along with general assessment questions for students to answer, which can help demonstrate the effectiveness of the CBIL.