Inquiry in the PYP

Last weekend, Ms. Kim and I flew to LA for three days to attend an IB PYP workshop on inquiry. Inquiry-based learning is a learning process through questions generated from the interests, curiosities, and perspectives/experiences of the learner. When students engage in learning centered around their own questions, curiosities, and experiences, learning is an organic and motivating process that is intrinsically enjoyable.

We reflected on the way we learn best, and then looked at the learning environment we provide for our own students. When reflecting on the ways WE learn best we came up with:

• subjects that are relevant and interesting to us
• tackling real-world questions, issues and controversies 
• collaborating and interacting with other learners in a variety of ways
• solving problems or creating solutions
• exploring concepts through a variety of materials and resources
• sharing our learning with others and then reflecting and revising our ideas based on feedback
• opportunity to practice and revise our thinking

     We really enjoyed meeting with educators around the United States to discus the best ways to  support inquiry based learning in our classrooms. We know that we learn best when given the  opportunity to engage in the process using using inquiry driven strategies, so that is what we  are committed ti providing for our own students!