Step 1: Choose a Curricular Theme
Select the theme "community" from the menu on the left, then browse through the search results to choose a lesson plan.
Step 2: Read Interpretive Essays and Select an Artwork
We
recommend several different artworks for teaching about community, so
take your time looking at them and reading the accompanying essays
before selecting
the one that best complements your curriculum. Let's
say you want your students to be introduced to communities that are
unfamiliar to them. If your students live in a city, you might choose The Hermitage at Pontoise (Les côteaux de l'Hermitage, Pontoise, ca. 1867) by Camille Pissarro because it is a village scene.
Step 3: Brainstorm Questions
Now
brainstorm questions for this artwork. In inquiry, we start with an
observational question, such as "What do you see?" or "What do you
notice?" This helps students observe before they interpret.
Then we
ask open-ended interpretive questions, some general and some about the
theme we want to explore. Brainstorm several interpretive questions. You
can eliminate some and sequence the rest later.
Remember, open-ended questions don't demand a particular answer, elicit yes/no answers, or contain
answers in them.
Step 4: Select Informational Statements and Write Follow-Up Questions
Now
go back to the interpretive essay and think about what information is
relevant to the theme and might deepen your students' understanding of
community. Select a piece of information, then write a question that
asks students to follow up on this information.
Step 5: Vet Your Questions
Now reread each of your questions and eliminate some by asking yourself:
- Is this question open-ended?
- Are there many possible acceptable answers to the question? List some answers to be sure.
- Does this question give students the opportunity to build on prior knowledge?
- Will
students have to look carefully at the artwork to answer this question?
Will they be able to answer it by looking at the artwork?
- Is this question the best one to get students to think about the theme?
Once
you’ve eliminated questions you feel are closed-ended,
age-inappropriate, irrelevant, or off-theme, choose three or four of the
best questions. You might need to make changes to your questions to
create a plan that works.
Step 6: Sequence Your Questions
There are a few different ways to think about sequencing your questions:
- Start with general interpretive questions and move into questions specific to the theme.
- Imagine
student responses to each question and try to follow up with a question
that will naturally transition from student responses.
- Move through Bloom's Taxonomy
Step 7: Prepare for Your Lesson
- Try your inquiry plan with a friend and make necessary changes If necessary, add questions to make the lesson coherent.
- Download the worksheet and get started
