Mingle Pair Shares are a great way to get students moving around the classroom and talking to different classmates. Use this strategy to encourage students to hear from a variety of perspectives in response to an open-ended question or experience.
Conver-stations allow students to discuss topics in constantly changing small groups. Use this format in response to complex discussion prompts or sources (ex. photos, videos, audio recordings, or written text).
This strategy gives each student a chance to quickly share their idea with the whole class. Use this protocol when responses are likely to be only a few sentences long.
This reflection protocol prompts students to identify key takeaways from a sustained inquiry experience. Use this to support students in sharing their thoughts with the whole class and making connections to others’ ideas.
Popcorns challenge students to share their ideas without talking over each other, which is great practice for real-life discussion skills. Use this strategy when it’s not necessary to hear from every single student in response to a prompt or question.
A Think Pair Share gives every student the opportunity to be heard. Students who have difficulty sharing ideas in large groups have a chance to rehearse with a partner, and those who always want to share are guaranteed the chance...
Use these strategies to prompt a quick conversation between students who are already seated close together. Because there is no special seating arrangement or protocol required, it is perhaps the most flexible and informal discussion strategy.
The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) was developed by the Right Question Institute to help anyone produce, improve, and prioritize questions. Use this scaled version of the protocol with emergent readers or writers to generate Investigation Questions that will help them...
Learn more about the Inquiry Skills, a set of five powerful skills, that are used throughout the inquiry process to generate questions, conduct sustained investigations, and take informed action. The development of these skills is integral to the success...
inquirED's Inquiry Teaching Practices and Reflection Tools support teachers in creating an inquiry based classroom.
The Question Formulation Technique, or QFT, was developed by the Right Question Institute as a simple step by step process that helps anyone produce, improve, and prioritize questions. Watch this video to learn more about the process in 90 seconds.
The Question Formulation Technique, or QFT, was developed by the Right Question Institute as a simple step by step process that helps anyone produce, improve, and prioritize questions. Watch this video to hear about a teacher's journey using the Question...
Learn how to keep students moving throughout the process of creation.
Explore how using a dramatic play can help students connect to their learning.
Hear some useful tips for when you have to contact a potential community partner.
Find out how to help your students to clearly define their target group.
Learn why creating a supportive culture is an essential element of critique.
Explore the ways students develop their thinking and questioning skills during each session of the QFT.
Explore key strategies for scaffolding critique practices.
Learn why reflection is a key component of the inquiry process for students and teachers.
Learn how class checklists can be a powerful assessment tool for the inquiry classroom.
Learn how to help students to see the value of multiple drafts.
See how you can use a Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning framework in your classroom.
Learn a protocol that helps students understand agency, voice, and collaboration.
