Project+Outline

Chinese Proverb
Our class profile meetings this past week highlighted common concerns across teachers and grade levels of student achievement, student engagement, covering curricula, and ‘drive-by teaching’. We believe that //Inquiry-Based Learning// is the best framework to address these concerns and we are here today to invite you to become part of an //Inquiry-Based Learning// Network in our school. // Inquiry-Based Learning // is a student-centered teaching approach focused on questioning, thinking, and problem solving using multiple literacies. The approach allows for integration of content areas (e.g., ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics) and research suggests that when this mode of instruction is used, students perform better on national standardized tests and program-developed assessment when compared with students in traditional classrooms (Hartzler, 2000). We would like to help you implement this form of instruction in your classroom because we too, have struggled with similar concerns during the past few years and have found that //Inquiry-Based Learning// has allowed us to cover our curriculum, engage students in their learning, achieve deeper understanding of content, and lighten our teaching load.
 * __ Explanation __**


 * __ Materials/ Resources __**
 * Divisional PD Fund: School-based Projects (release time, resources materials)
 * Participant Packages: writing journals, literacy dictionaries, resource book(s)
 * Curriculum documents (ELA, Science, Social Studies, Math)
 * Wikispaces website- //Fostering Passion, Curiosity, and Fun: Inquiry Learning//
 * Implementation plan
 * Outline of Initiative
 * Introduction PowerPoint
 * Anchor Charts
 * Posters/Brochures
 * Inquiry Based Learning Videos
 * Inquiry Based Learning Webpage links
 * Resources


 * __ Engagement Procedures __**
 * Introduce plan and invite teachers to join (multiple points of entry)
 * Planning Committee: will document meetings and accomplishments
 * Professional Learning Network: release time for PD, teacher inquiry
 * Other staff: invited to observe, inquire
 * Offer release time to newcomers in order to share plan and invite participation; mentorship
 * Foster Teacher Ownership: committee membership; mentorship opportunities

**__ Time Lines / Responsibilities __**

 * YEAR 1 ||
 * **Action Step** || **Timeline (target date)** || **Lead person(s)** ||
 * Create a Professional Learning Network || Mid-September || Barb, Lisette ||
 * Apply for funding from the //Joint PD Fund// to cover: release time for network members; resource books and materials for members; and meeting costs. || End of September || Ruth, Rhonda ||
 * Network members will meet 5 times throughout the year ( day sessions) to develop common understanding of //Inquiry-Based Learning// (what is it; why should we use the approach in our classrooms; how do we implement) || October, November, January, March, May || Interested members of the Professional Learning Network ||
 * Invite members of the PLN to begin modelling their inquisitiveness in their classrooms through Inquiry/Wonder Journals, Reflections on Nature, Mystery Bag, and Inquiry at the Window. || January - June || Core Planning Committee ||
 * Create school-wide awareness by sharing work at staff meetings. || October, December, February, April, June || Interested members of the Professional Learning Network ||
 * YEAR 2 ||
 * **Action Step** || **Timeline (target date)** || **Lead person(s)** ||
 * Re-establish the Professional Learning Network (allow for inclusion of new members) || Mid-September || Barb, Lisette ||
 * Apply for funding from the //Joint PD Fund// to cover: release time for network members; resource books and materials for members; and meeting costs. || End of September || Ruth, Rhonda ||
 * Network members will meet 5 times throughout the year ( day sessions) to receive PD in inquiry strategies; to develop classroom plans; and to organize materials for //Inquiry-Based Learning.// The final meeting will be a sharing session of classroom experiences with //Inquiry-Based Learning//. || October, November, January, March, May || Interested members of the Professional Learning Network ||
 * Teachers will implement at least one //Inquiry-Based Learning// experience in their classroom. || Before the end of April || Members of the Professional Learning Network ||
 * Create school-wide awareness by sharing work at staff meetings. || October, December, February, April, June || Interested members of the Professional Learning Network ||
 * __ Proposed Results __**
 * 1) Participation - 30% of staff involvement 1st year; 40% 2nd year
 * 2) Questioning skills improved by end of 2nd year (baseline assessment at beginning of year)
 * 3) Student Engagement (Observations made in //Walk-About// by principal and network members; baseline assessment at beginning of year)
 * 4) Student Achievement improved by end of 2nd year (baseline assessment at beginning of year) (reading and writing skills)

Lisette, Barb, Ruth, Rhonda
 * Respectfully submitted, **


 * References:** Hartzler, D. S. (2000). //A meta-analysis of studies conducted on integrated curriculum programs and their effects on student achievement//. Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University, 2000. Dissertation Abstracts International, AAT 9967119