Activity Overview
Beginning a lesson with a thought-provoking question is an excellent way to
engage students' curiosity and critical thinking skills. This strategy involves
presenting a question that directly relates to the lesson's topic but doesn't
have an immediate or straightforward answer.
Activity Description
For instance, in a biology class, a teacher might ask, "How would the animal kingdom be different if birds couldn't fly?" This type of open-ended question encourages students to think beyond the standard curriculum and consider the broader implications and connections of the lesson content. 116 In a lesson about ecosystems, the teacher could start by asking, "What would happen to a forest ecosystem if all the bees suddenly disappeared?" This question would lead students to think about the role of bees in pollination, the interdependence of species within an ecosystem, and the potential domino effect on plants and animals. Students would brainstorm ideas, discuss possible scenarios, and then delve into the actual scientific concepts of pollination and ecosystem balance. This initial inquiry sets a tone of exploration and discovery, leading to a more engaging and interactive learning experience.Â
Inquiry-based learning is a teaching approach that encourages students to explore and discover knowledge through active participation in the learning process. This approach is based on the idea that students learn best when actively engaged in the learning process and are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and discover answers independently. Inquiry-based learning activities are designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. These activities can take many forms, such as experiments, research projects, case studies, simulations, and discussions. These activities aim to encourage students to ask questions, investigate, and discover answers on their own.Â
Materials Needed
Question Starter
Discussion Guidelines for students to follow