"Children have an innate sense of wonder and awe and a natural desire for inquiry" (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010).
click on resource titles for links
Kindergarten GAINS
Resource Type: Video
The Kindergarten GAINS site, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, provides an online video series for educators wishing to reflect and extend on their practices within the early childhood classroom. The video on "Inquiry" shows classroom teachers as they are rethinking abstract, theme-based planning and repeating inquiry-based planning that is focused on expectations (Ontario Ministry of Education, n.d.). One teacher in the video states that because the ideas for exploration are coming from the children, they are more interested and motivated to participate (Ontario Ministry of Education, n.d.). This aligns with best practices for inquiry, as subjects should be concrete rather than abstract, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and reflect the ideas and interests of children (ETFO, 2010b, p. 26).
A viewing guide for the video can be accessed at: http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesKIN/Video/Guides/ELK-VideoGuide_Inquiry.pdf
The Kindergarten GAINS site, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, provides an online video series for educators wishing to reflect and extend on their practices within the early childhood classroom. The video on "Inquiry" shows classroom teachers as they are rethinking abstract, theme-based planning and repeating inquiry-based planning that is focused on expectations (Ontario Ministry of Education, n.d.). One teacher in the video states that because the ideas for exploration are coming from the children, they are more interested and motivated to participate (Ontario Ministry of Education, n.d.). This aligns with best practices for inquiry, as subjects should be concrete rather than abstract, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and reflect the ideas and interests of children (ETFO, 2010b, p. 26).
A viewing guide for the video can be accessed at: http://www.edugains.ca/resourcesKIN/Video/Guides/ELK-VideoGuide_Inquiry.pdf
Independent Inquiry: Play in the Primary Grades
Resource Type: Book Excerpt
Author: ETFO
Taken from the ETFO resource, "Primarily Play", this chapter discusses children's need for inquiry and their natural curiosity about the world around them. The article recognizes the benefits of inquiry-based learning, as it allows children to develop a variety of skills such as questioning, planning, observing and collaborating - all skills that are vital for life-long learning (ETFO, 2010b, p. 13).
The article also states that, "Inquiry is born of play" which makes play a natural vehicle for teaching inquiry skills. Inquiry skills should not be taught in isolation or out of context, and through play rich inquiry and investigations can take place (ETFO, 2010b, p. 25).
Independent Inquiry: Play in the Primary Grades
Author: ETFO
Taken from the ETFO resource, "Primarily Play", this chapter discusses children's need for inquiry and their natural curiosity about the world around them. The article recognizes the benefits of inquiry-based learning, as it allows children to develop a variety of skills such as questioning, planning, observing and collaborating - all skills that are vital for life-long learning (ETFO, 2010b, p. 13).
The article also states that, "Inquiry is born of play" which makes play a natural vehicle for teaching inquiry skills. Inquiry skills should not be taught in isolation or out of context, and through play rich inquiry and investigations can take place (ETFO, 2010b, p. 25).
Independent Inquiry: Play in the Primary Grades
Teacher Tom
Resource Type: Blog
A creative teacher with a sense of humour, "Teacher Tom" blogs about his daily adventures with preschool students, and his approach to inquiry-based learning. His posts demonstrate how inquiry-based learning, or an emergent curriculum, unfolds through the conversations and actions of his students.
He frequently takes advantage of his students' spontaneous desire for exploration, while guiding them to become more focused in their investigations - a key role of educators within the inquiry-based model (ETFO, 2010b, p. 25).
A creative teacher with a sense of humour, "Teacher Tom" blogs about his daily adventures with preschool students, and his approach to inquiry-based learning. His posts demonstrate how inquiry-based learning, or an emergent curriculum, unfolds through the conversations and actions of his students.
He frequently takes advantage of his students' spontaneous desire for exploration, while guiding them to become more focused in their investigations - a key role of educators within the inquiry-based model (ETFO, 2010b, p. 25).
My Classroom Transformation
Resource Type: Blog
A Kindergarten teacher with the York District School Board uses her blog to document her adventure into inquiry-based learning. Photographs explore how her classroom environment has been transformed from teacher-created spaces, to an environment that allows for small group inquiry-spaces and co-constructed centres (her art space features beautiful jars of found materials that students helped to sort and display!). Through the work of the children, it is clear the connections to learning centre experiences are natural and meaningful (ETFO, 2010a, p. 6).
A Kindergarten teacher with the York District School Board uses her blog to document her adventure into inquiry-based learning. Photographs explore how her classroom environment has been transformed from teacher-created spaces, to an environment that allows for small group inquiry-spaces and co-constructed centres (her art space features beautiful jars of found materials that students helped to sort and display!). Through the work of the children, it is clear the connections to learning centre experiences are natural and meaningful (ETFO, 2010a, p. 6).
Reggio Emilia and Inquiry-Based Learning
Reggio Emilia is an approach to early childhood education that was developed in Italy by Loris Malaguzzi. It is based on the belief that children have the ability and desire to construct their own knowledge (Early Childhood Today, 2001). The approach facilitates learning through exploration and discovery, and has no set guide of curriculum. Instead, the learning follows the interests of the children within the classroom.
The Reggio Emilia approach is grounded in inquiry-based learning, and therefore has gained popularity as educators in North America begin to understand the need for play-based, child-directed learning. Resources on the Reggio Emilia approach can be useful for educators wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the inquiry and project-based approach to learning.
The Reggio Emilia approach is grounded in inquiry-based learning, and therefore has gained popularity as educators in North America begin to understand the need for play-based, child-directed learning. Resources on the Reggio Emilia approach can be useful for educators wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the inquiry and project-based approach to learning.
Reggio Resources
The Ontario Reggio Association
The Ontario Reggio Association is a collective of educators, parents and other individuals interested in furthering their knowledge on the work of the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy. The association holds professional development events and conferences throughout the year to enhance professional practice.
Artists at the Centre
"The Arts, in their many forms, provide a natural vehicle through which children express their interpretation of our world. Therefore, the Arts play an important role in the development of children's communication and thinking skills" (ETFO, 2010a, p. 32)
Early childhood educators in Hamilton, Ontario, certainly understand the value of the Arts in early childhood learning, and are currently exploring the Reggio approach to deliver Arts education. "Artists at the Centre" is a means to document their learning and implementation process. To further children's experiences with the Reggio approach, the group has professional artists visit daycare and early learning centres to play, explore and learn together. Documentation of various art inquiries is available on their site.
North American Reggio Alliance
The North American Reggio Alliance is a network of educators, parents and advocates inspired by the work of the early childhood (0-6) schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The site offers a wide range of resources for those looking to learn more about the Reggio approach, including information about the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, upcoming conferences, and related articles.
Reggio Booklist via Parent Books
A large number of books related to the Reggio approach and child-centred curriculum are featured on the site of Parent Books, an educational and parenting bookstore based in Toronto, Ontario.
The Ontario Reggio Association is a collective of educators, parents and other individuals interested in furthering their knowledge on the work of the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy. The association holds professional development events and conferences throughout the year to enhance professional practice.
Artists at the Centre
"The Arts, in their many forms, provide a natural vehicle through which children express their interpretation of our world. Therefore, the Arts play an important role in the development of children's communication and thinking skills" (ETFO, 2010a, p. 32)
Early childhood educators in Hamilton, Ontario, certainly understand the value of the Arts in early childhood learning, and are currently exploring the Reggio approach to deliver Arts education. "Artists at the Centre" is a means to document their learning and implementation process. To further children's experiences with the Reggio approach, the group has professional artists visit daycare and early learning centres to play, explore and learn together. Documentation of various art inquiries is available on their site.
North American Reggio Alliance
The North American Reggio Alliance is a network of educators, parents and advocates inspired by the work of the early childhood (0-6) schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The site offers a wide range of resources for those looking to learn more about the Reggio approach, including information about the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, upcoming conferences, and related articles.
Reggio Booklist via Parent Books
A large number of books related to the Reggio approach and child-centred curriculum are featured on the site of Parent Books, an educational and parenting bookstore based in Toronto, Ontario.