IBL Part 2: Inquiry-based learning in action

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At the beginning of the year, each class chooses a name. Our kindy/pre-primary group chose the Swans and Cygnets, and that’s how they’re referred to around the school. This group of feathered friends, with Rochanne and Heide’s guidance, have been exploring some of their favourite topics this year.


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Dinosaur discovery

To put it lightly, the Swans and Cygnets are extremely interested in dinosaurs! They started their inquiry by identifying what they knew, what they were unsure about, and what they wanted to know. This meant that the entire unit of study was driven by the children’s interest. 

Heide and Rochanne planned week by week, so they had the flexibility to adapt the schedule to consolidate learning, or to focus more on a specific topic. Throughout the inquiry, the students learnt so much! The cross-curricular focus was key to immersing the class in the topic. Here are a few things they covered:

  • Our world: The class discovered what the earth looked like when dinosaurs lived here, including the placement of the continents. The students were very interested in the similarities and differences in the placement of landforms. They also loved predicting what the earth will look like in the future.

  • Literacy: The children explored topics of their choice through assisted research. Labelling and identifying the sounds in dinosaur species names gave them the opportunity to practice their writing and sounding out.

  • Numeracy: Did you know that an iguanodon is 10 Pre-primaries tall? The Swans and Cygnets loved estimating and representing the height of different species using their bodies. Another favourite was looking closely at claws, horns and scales -- the children loved counting and keeping track of dinosaurs’ protective measures.  

  • Visual art: Fine motor skills are super important for the Swans and Cygnets. They developed hand strength and coordination by making dinosaurs out of clay and the whole class made a dinosaur skeleton.

  • Science: The children identified what dinosaurs need to live (and compared it to what humans need). Fossils, scientific nomenclature (naming), and the effect of seasonal changes on dinosaurs were also popular topics.

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Creating a buzz

A second inquiry topic that interested our Swans and Cygnets this year was bees. So much so, the children wanted to have an entire day dedicated to it. Bee Day happened on 24 August and included bee costumes, honey tasting, and writing about bees.

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To prepare for the event, the Swans and Cygnets decided that they wanted to know a few things. Rochanne and Heide used their interests to plan class activities ahead of the big day. The students were interested in:

  • Life in the hive: The students explored all the roles that make a successful hive and gained an understanding of the different types of bees.

  • The bee life cycle: From egg to adult, the Swans and Cygnets discovered the length of bee life cycles.

  • How honey is made: The sweetest lesson of all! The children took a close look at honeycomb, honey stomachs, and where exactly the honey comes from.

Learning facts and skills

The Swans and Cygnets learnt so much from their dinosaur and bee inquiries. But importantly, they also practised things like working as a team, cooperation, waiting their turn, and listening to their peers. These are skills that the children will take with them throughout primary school and beyond -- and they’re part of why inquiry-based learning is here to stay at Woodbury Boston.

 

Recommended Reading

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Woodbury Boston Primary School is a progressive independent school nestled in the bush between Denmark and Albany WA. We know that children learn best when they’re happy and having fun. With a strong focus on community, respect, independence and nature-based teaching, our students learn the Western Australian Curriculum and so much more. For more information or to book a personal tour, please ring 9845 1185.

Children, Philosophy & PracticeMartha Barnard-RaeWoodbury Boston Primary School