Instructional IB info from Andrea!

As we settle into our new school year and new classroom routines, now may be a good time to establish an area of the classroom for student questioning! A "Wonder Wall" or "Question Corner" or"Inquiry Nook"... Most of us fell down on recording student questions and inquiries during our first planner reflections and many of you wanted to rededicate instructional time to focus on student questions. I can support you in this endeavor. Just say the word!

Here are some ideas:

• www.padlet.com for recording student questions electronically - very cool tool!

• Penny is going to try a clear, plexiglass pane with dry erase markers - to make kids feel like creative, business hipsters recording their genius thoughts!

• From Kath Murdoch's May, 2017 blog: 

Physical environment: Have you spent time with students exploring ways the classroom furniture can be arranged to best support flexibility, movement, collaboration and group conversation. Are materials and resources clearly organized to ensure students can be as independent and resourceful as possible?

Visual environment: Do your ‘walls’ help students learn?  Are displays indicative of what you value as an inquiry teacher?  What do the walls tell the visitor about the learning happening in your room? Do your walls speak of inquiry?

• You could give each student a laminated piece of cardstock for them to record with dry erase or hot glue clothespins on there and they can pin up notecards 

• You can get creative and make it look like a real wall... or Humpty Dumpty's brick wall...

• And don't forget Pinterest! I'm sure there are 101 ideas there too!