12-13+JIES+G4

Independent Inquiry Goals vary from academic to social, physical to spiritual, and practical to whimsical. The teacher's role is only to interject suggestions when needed and provide guidance toward resources.

Many goals are not achieved, at least not as originally conceived, but it is the inquiry process involved and reflection that is important, not necessarily the result or product. If we focus on process, the products will speak for themselves.

This is the first spreadsheet gathered in the Independent Inquiry project with my Grade 4 class:

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Here's an ever-growing list of goals (by students and teachers) which provoked stimulating and successful inquiries: (links to finished products)

1 Care for the family garden 2 Make insect repellent spray 3 Create a schedule for each day of the week 4 Make bracelets 5 Fashion Design 6 Draw a doll realistically 7 Draw my hand realistically 8 Write letters to my friends 9 Knit a scarf 10 Help my sibling finish homework 11 Practice dance 12 Take photographs of nature 13 Make my bed 14 Nature drawing 15 Water plants at home 16 Make a handkerchief pouch 17 Realistically paint a leaf 18 Make a family of paper dolls 19 Help to fold laundry 20 Make pizza 21 Wear fewer clothes (to save water & electricity) 22 Make a turtleneck 23 Don't eat snacks after dinner 24 Talk as little as possible 25 Bake bread 26 Read to my younger sibling 27 Think of a goal for next week 28 Draw a realistic eye 29 Jump rope 100 times without stopping 30 Go to bed by 11 o'clock every night 31 Research about family history 32 Research about Hiroshima 33 Learn about cat varieties 34 Research about Coco Chanel 35 Draw a portrait of my sibling 36 Write a screenplay for a movie 37 Collect/make props for a movie 38 Improve my productivity as a teacher 39 Make a doll 40 Build a model house 41 Make an instructional book about how to make something 42 Research about Gene Kelly