June+11,+2012

Our reflective page for June 11, 2012 Twitter Hashtag [|#bliinkyr] Initial (DRAFT) resources we created
 * [[file:Habitsofmind.doc]]: full mindedness, fair mindedness, open mindedness: prompts, resources, learning opportunities, activities.

The focus of the day was to consider, "what does a child centred, inquiry driven classroom that promotes critical thinking look like and sound like?" To frame our discussions, we considered Garfield Gini Newman's [|tools to promote critical thinking] (page1), namely:
 * Criteria For Judgment
 * Critical Thinking Vocabulary
 * Thinking Strategies
 * Habits of Mind

We considered our own [|Curriculum Department's Framework] for Inquiry in classrooms which aligns to the Ministry of Education's recent Capacity Building Series document [|Getting Started with Student Inquiry].

with special consideration to the learning environment.
 * [|**Engaging and Exploring**]
 * [|**Taking Action and Making Sense**]
 * ** [|Learning With and From Each Other] **

//A learning environment that supports inquiry is one that fosters curiosity, openness to new ideas, flexibility in thinking and collaboration. Talk is valued as an important part of the learning and discussion and debate are encouraged. Teachers need to organize the physical space to provide opportunities for small group and large group collaboration as well as spaces for independent work.// //As the lead learner in the classroom, teachers need to continually develop and demonstrate a disposition towards inquiry for students. Teaching itself can be thought of as an inquiry. If we approach new ideas and challenges with curiosity, openness and a willingness to persevere, we are modelling these important learning skills and work habits for our learners.//
 * //The Learning Environment//**

//Inquiry is not a linear process. Meaningful learning experiences often do not fit neatly into a timetabled period. Teachers do not always get to the end of a particular inquiry by the time the bell rings. Learners need to be able to give themselves permission to pause the learning until time is found again to continue the work. It takes time to think deeply about a topic, explore new ideas, uncover misconceptions, and collaborate with others. Flexibility is essential.//

to specifically support our planning for our focussed starts in September to set the conditions for both inquiry and critical thinking to occur in all of our classrooms.