Hutchinson: Who are we? Where are we starting?

Welcome to the beginning of our Inquiry Notebooking project.  Since teachers from Van Arsdale and Hutchinson will be working on this project and sharing ideas throughout the year, it makes sense that you should know each other and each other's work.

Hutchinson First Grade Team
Robin Willis (left)
Kellie Swaim (right)

Robin and Kellie have both taught primary grades at Hutchinson for many years.  They are comfortable with an inquiry lens and have used folders in the past in science and social studies.  They are looking forward looking forward to seeing how the project will play out.  

schedule coming soon

Focus for Inquiry Cycle One

The first grade team wants to think about using an inquiry-based approach in social studies.  

Van Arsdale: Who are we? Where are we starting?

Welcome to the beginning of our Inquiry Notebooking project.  Since teachers from Van Arsdale and Hutchinson will be working on this project and sharing ideas throughout the year, it makes sense that you should know each other and each other's work.

Van Arsdale 1st Grade Team
Leslie Spencer (left)
DeAnna Nunley (right)

 The first grade team at Van Arsdale have used notebooking in science and explored using them in social studies as well.  They are more comfortable with using an inquiry-based approach in science. 

At this time, this is their schedule:

9-10:30- Reading Workshop

10:30-10:45- Recess

10:45-11:35- Sci. /SS

11:35-12:15- Lunch/Recess

12:15-12:50- Read aloud/intervention

12:50-1:35- Specials/Planning

1:35-2:35- Math

2:35-3:30- Writers’ Workshop

Focus for Inquiry Cycle One

The first grade team wants to think about using inquiry-based questioning to help students go deeper in their learning.  Also, how can the notebooks be used for the benefit of students?

Chalk Talk: "Why use notebooks?"

As we begin this year's project (Inquiry Notebooking in Science and Social Studies), we're starting to explore the tool that will be used to capture thinking and work of students.  The tool (the notebook) can be used in a variety of ways to support student learning.  Consider taking a look at the charts created during Van Arsdale's chalk talk. It reveals their thinking about the question, "Why use notebooks?"  Feel free to add additional thoughts, now and in the future, in the comment space below this blog post.  Let's see how our understanding and ideas grow throughout the year as we examine the notebook as a tool for learning.