Inquiry

There is more to learning than just reguritating information, yet it seems like that is the current trend in classrooms today. With the help of technology educators are beginning to see that maybe this is not best way to teach. Students enjoy learning more when they are able to apply all five senses to what they are learning. By doing this they are able to grasp a better understanding of what they are learning about. Young childern by nature are curious. In allowing them the freedom to engage in an exploration process they are able to raise thier own questions, give thier own examples and use thier own observations. When educators use project based learning they introduce students to new levels of communication and presentation skills, reflection skills and group participation skills. Students also are able to see how thier academic work can be connected to real life issues.
For my unit plan my essential question is: Why is water important?
Unit Question 1: What is the water cycle?
Unit Question 2: Where can water be found?
Unit Question 3: How often do I use water?
I plan on having the students first brainstorm on their own for ideas and explanations to the unit questions. I will have the students do their own research to find where water can be found. I would require them to create their own journal in which they would record when, and how much water they would use every day. Once they collect a few days worth of data I would have them compile the data in to a graph. For a project based learning experience, I would have the students create their own mini water cycle.