Our Animal Inquiry Journey

This past month has been filled with preparing to share our animal research.

We formed small inquiry groups in our Investigation Stage and became specialists on specific animals.  We gathered lots of resources on our specific animal and started collecting and recording information.

Using print resources

Using digital resources

These researchers learned that crocodiles and alligators have eyes near the top of their head so they can hide under water but still see above water. They are testing our their new learning with models of their animals.

After we gathered lots of research, we started synthesizing our ideas in the Coalesce Stage and began planning out how we would share our learning with others.  This was when we sorted our learning on our I Learned/I Wonder t-charts and started thinking about the "Big Ideas" about our animal.

What pieces of learning go together?

At the end of the Coalesce Stage, we started creating murals.  These murals included a large representation of our animal in its habitat, with details, labels, and fun facts.

Here is a video taking you through our Investigation & Coalesce Stages, where we gathered lots of new learning and wonders and started to plan out how we would share our learning:

Yesterday and today we "went public" with our learning. We shared our research and taught LEADS kindergarteners and second graders about our animals. The LEADS 4K students are even planning to come up and do a gallery walk of our murals, where we'll be available to answer questions.

sharing our research

answering questions

turning and talking about our new learning

adding new learning and wonders to their chart

Enjoy our Go Public Stage by watching the video below!

What will we research next?
A special thank you goes out to Jen Burton, Kristin Ziemke, Stephanie Harvey, Smokey Daniels, Debbie Miller for being so inspirational in this Inquiry & Collaboration process!