Author Archives: Craig

This is part 1 of a series of blog posts tracking a change in practice we are trying this year. This idea came from our frustration with a very busy schedule where sequential Units of Inquiry left little breathing room … Continue reading →

This post is in response to a wonderful post by Derek Pinchbeck. He asked some thoughtful questions at the end and this is my way of trying to answer one of them. Cross posted at The Lead Learner. How much … Continue reading →

Originally posted at teachingparadox.com As I prepare to re-enter the classroom next year, I have been reading up on all things PLAY. We will be diving head first into a play based curriculum that is clearly defined and structured. It … Continue reading →

The idea was simple. Give the kids a map, tell them they are part of a tribe of neolithic nomads, and choose the best place to settle. Parameters were set. A story was hatched. It could have been a nice … Continue reading →

Has Inquire Within inspired you in the past? Are you hoping for more inspiration in the coming school year? Then join us and share your ideas. Inspiration doesn’t only come from others. It comes from you. Yes, that’s right, YOU. If you … Continue reading →

Stay with me here. This is not just a story of what we did, but rather a look into how we inquire. I will need your feedback and ideas by the end of this!What we didWe started out investigation of natural landforms and settlement … Continue reading →

    I had a deadline looming. A term paper that needed to be done in a week. One week, and of course, I hadn’t started yet.   A friend had given me a book about a terrible couple of … Continue reading →

    At the beginning of the year (way back in August), I introduced the concept of a 50 word story to help engage my students with writing. They love to tell stories, but often they got bogged down in … Continue reading →

I have written before about this strategy. It is partly inspired by Making Thinking Visible, and a vague memory from a poetry workshop with Larry Swartz. I have adopted it to my own needs. Here is how it works: The purpose of the activity is … Continue reading →

I have just finished Out of our Minds: Learning to be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson.  This is the third time I have read this book, but the first time I have read the second edition.  It is hard to consider this … Continue reading →