Powering up Inquiry Learning in the Elementary Classroom: a 2 day Interactive workshop for K-6 teachers with Internationally  renowned educator, Kath Murdoch 29th - 30th September 2014, Vancouver

Overview:   Participants will leave with a treasure trove of strategies, resources and  insights into the use of a quality, inquiry based approach to teaching. About the workshop:   The learning landscape is rapidly changing.  For teachers in the 21C, adapting to this changing landscape requires new ways of thinking -  and new instructional strategies that really build students’ capacity as learners.  An inquiry approach has long been recognized as a powerful way to equip students with the skills, strategies and dispositions needed for independence and creativity in learning.   It is now more important than ever to engage students in active exploration through inquiry. Quality inquiry teaching helps both teachers and students navigate their way through abundant information, rapidly changing technologies, shifting community priorities and the need for both personalized AND collaborative learning. The following questions will be explored through the interactive use of research-based strategies, videos, work samples etc.: What is inquiry learning – and what does it look like in the elementary classroom? How can we create classrooms where inquiring into LEARNING is central to all we do? How can we use an inquiry approach across the curriculum? What does collaborative planning and documentation look like in an inquiry approach? How can we attend to curriculum standards and also connect with students’ interests? What frameworks and scaffolds can we use to ‘anchor’ student learning and guide our practice? What resources can we use to support us in inquiry learning? How can we create contemporary contexts for real inquiry into relevant questions for students? How can quality thinking routines and strategies help build capacity for learning?. How can we use technologies to engage students in authentic inquiries and to build our own personal professional inquiry networks. Objectives   Through this workshop, participants will gain: A deeper understanding of how to use contemporary, inquiry based approaches classroom. A broader repertoire of quality teaching strategies and techniques to help build students’ skills as inquirer. Greater familiarity with and understanding of a model for designing powerful units of inquiry with conceptual underpinnings. Strategies for planning and teaching that encourage students to become increasingly independent as inquirers. Ideas for assessing growth in students’ understandings and skills in the context of inquiry. Opportunities for reflection, collaboration and planning. Knowledge of the resources (particularly on line) available to support teaching and learning through inquiry. Agenda: Day 1   Session 1   Introduction and overview of the program. Bringing the learner voice into inquiry. Establishing prior knowledge and ‘early thinking’.   Session 2   Creating a culture of inquiry through the use of materials and effective procedures. Identifying the key features of the inquiring classroom and strategies that support these.   Session 3   The art of questioning in the inquiry classroom – questions and questioning technique that work! Building students’ capacity for questioning. Teaching the transdisciplinary skills essential to inquiry. Review and reflection.   Day 2   Session 1   Introducing a framework/cycle for planning for inquiry. Exploring ways this framework can and should be adapted according to the contexts and needs of the students. Examining different ‘types’ of inquiry units – planned, spontaneous, short and long term, whole class and individual. Using big questions and understanding goals.   Session 2   Practical strategies to accompany the broad phases of inquiry – from teacher guided to more independent learning. Session 3   A range of options available to participants- according to need and interest – time for planning, feedback on plans, exploration of resources, further examination of strategies and classroom materials. Reflection and course evaluation. Methodology   This workshop balances interactive and hands-on methods with opportunities for participants to hear and see examples of inquiry in practice from a range of settings. A combination of individual and collaborative tasks is used over the two days and teachers will benefit from being able to view inquiry in action through photos, video clips and work samples. The emphasis is on the practical however reference to supporting theory and research will be made with further reading available to teachers who wish to follow this up. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own practice throughout the two days using techniques that can also be applied to students. The general atmosphere is non-threatening and engaging and participants are encouraged to discuss and share ideas with each other as they make connections to their classrooms and students. Potential Audience   This workshop is ideally suited to generalist teachers working with students aged 4 – 13 in the primary/elementary classroom.  Many of the strategies and techniques explored in the workshop can also be adapted by specialist teachers. Trainers’ profiles:   Kath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America and Europe.   She is widely respected for her work in the field of inquiry based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for well over 25 years. Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne, Australia.  Her fascination in how students’ constructed their understandings  - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon lead to a passion for integrative and inquiry based methodologies. This passion has become a career-long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specialises are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world – including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program.  Critical to Kath’s success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning.  Kath’s professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her home town of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath’s style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching. Investment:   Investment Includes Course Materials, Lunch and refreshments with Certificate of Participation.   CAD 750/- Closing date 1st September 2014   Early Bird offer CAD 700/- 1st June 2014. Venue:   The Hotel Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier Timings:   Timings 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Registration on the 29th at 8.30 am. Contact:   Shonal Agarwal CEO Email: shonal@chaptersinternational.com chaptersinternational@gmail.com Website: www.chaptersinternational.com