While structured literacy lays the foundation, inquiry can enhance engagement, application, and deeper understanding. Our students are given the skills and resources to explore, investigate and research topics of interest. The importance of inquiry learning is that students become curious lifelong learners and learn the value of ongoing learning.
Inquiry Learning uses a Balanced Approach to develop
🧠 Cognitive & Thinking Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Evaluating information, asking deeper questions (“Why?”, “How?”), distinguishing fact from opinion
- Analytical Skills
- Observing patterns, comparing and contrasting, drawing conclusions based on evidence
- Problem-Solving
- Identifying issues and figuring out how to solve them through reasoning and exploration
- Curiosity and Questioning
- Developing the habit of asking meaningful questions and seeking answers—essential for lifelong learning
📚 Academic & Literacy Skills
- Vocabulary Expansion
- Encountering and using subject-specific and inquiry-related vocabulary in context
- Writing for Purpose
- Writing reports, reflections, arguments, or narratives to share learning—developing structure and voice
- Oral Communication
- Presenting ideas, asking questions, participating in discussions
🧩 Executive Function & Learning Skills
- Perseverance
- Working through challenges in reading, writing, or research
🧍♂️🧍♀️ Social & Emotional Skills
- Collaboration
- Working in groups, listening to others, sharing responsibilities
- Empathy and Perspective-Taking
- Exploring real-world issues that build awareness of others’ experiences (e.g., “What challenges do people face in different communities?”)
- Confidence
- Gaining a sense of agency through choice and ownership in learning
