An Integrated Inquiry Activity in an Elementary Teaching Methods Classroom

ABSTRACT

In this integrated inquiry, students in an elementary teaching methods class investigate a real-world problem outside the classroom. The students use the Cognitive Research Trust (CoRT) thinking strategy to find the causes of, impact of, and possible solutions to the problem. They present their findings and then discuss implementation of this activity in elementary classrooms. The activity is followed by a whole-class discussion about the activity and its application to the elementary classroom. This is an open-ended inquiry that future teachers will be able to do with their elementary school students.

KEYWORDS:

• environmental problems
• inquiry activity
• integrated activity
• problem-based learning

Notes

1. After Edward de Bono (2009), CoRT (Cognitive Research Trust) Cambridge, U.K.