Category Archives: Collaboration

Creating a Culture of Science in the PYP

Posted on February 28, 2017 by

I gravitate toward all things inquiry, and today I clicked on a Ted Radio Hour podcast called “The Spirit of Inquiry.” What could be better than jogging and listening to a podcast about inquiry. Geekily…well, nothing. I’ve been preparing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Inquiry | 3 Comments

An inquiry into homework

Posted on October 21, 2016 by

It comes as no surprise that the issue of homework in elementary classrooms is quite the hot topic these days. In thinking about starting my year back in the classroom I decided that I – like many other teachers around the world -was … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Inquiry | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Before we close the door…

Posted on August 26, 2016 by

This blog came to life, six years ago, with an invitation to inquiry teachers to ‘inquire within’ if they were interested in sharing their reflections on inquiry learning in this collaborative space. At first there was interest and growth, but then … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Inquiry | 3 Comments

‘Making’ Does Not Equal ‘Constructionism’

Posted on April 23, 2016 by

‘Making’ is about empowering students to ‘make up’ their own minds. ‘Making’ is about empowering students to ‘make up’ their own minds—quite literally—regardless of the artifacts being constructed. This is the view I prefer to take. ‘Making’ should focus on … Continue reading →

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The better to inform you with

Posted on October 13, 2015 by

This entry was originally published in my blog Ser y Estar: https://rafangel.wordpress.com ‘Oh! Grandmother,’ she said, ‘what big ears you have!’ ‘All the better to hear you with, my child,’ was the reply. ‘But, grandmother, what big eyes you have!’ … Continue reading →

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Student Voice and Learning

Posted on March 1, 2015 by

I can’t imagine a school without a discussion. I teach 4th grade, but I’ve had great discussions with my kids in 4th and when I taught 5th as well. When I’ve visited a 1st grade classroom many times this year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Inquiry | 2 Comments

PYP Exhibition Website

Posted on February 13, 2015 by

Last week, I led a Roundtable Discussion at the AGIS (Association of German International Schools) Conference.  Following our discussion I acted on something that has been brewing in my mind for a while – the need for a space for … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration | 4 Comments

Step aside

Posted on January 28, 2015 by

“People can make choices to support the sustainability of the Earth’s energy resources.” Me to students : Does that make sense? Students to me: (after a while)…not really… Their understanding of “energy” during the pre-assessment task also reflected a superficial … Continue reading →

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Knowledge Building: What is it Really?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by

Isn’t it really just learning by another name? We hear a lot about knowledge building in education circles these days! What is it anyway? Why don’t we just call it learning? Where did this term knowledge building come from? When … Continue reading →

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Using Visible Thinking Strategies to Develop Expert Learners

Posted on September 18, 2014 by

Supporting Inquiry with Scaffolded, Collaborative Journal Writing Visible thinking is all the rage. I’m glad! Back in the day–we usually referred to visible thinking as explicit thinking. But, as with many solid, worthwhile constructs, they are not readily adopted and … Continue reading →

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