My students are too young to ask big questions.
My students just aren't curious.
My students only ask closed questions.
Igniting and embracing curiosity is essential to inquiry-based learning, and that begins with questions. But if your students' off-topic, too basic, or simply non-existent questions have left you discouraged, you know that getting to the right questions isn't always easy. Asking questions that have the power to create authentic inquiry experiences and effectively drive learning takes practice. That's where Inquiry Mindset: Questions Edition comes in.
In this book, Trevor MacKenzie offers tools and teacher insights that demonstrate the power and potential of student-generated inquiries. The Question Routines he outlines serve as a framework that you and your students can use to craft, organize, and justify questions. Effective across grade levels and subject areas, the strategies MacKenzie provides will empower you to bring fresh excitement and engagement to the learning experience.
As you integrate these Question Routines into your teaching practice, you will discover . . .
- Curiosity can be leveraged to create personalized and authentic learning opportunities.
- Questioning can increase other competencies, including collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and reflection.
- As the teacher, you don't have to ask or answer all the questions.
Dive in, and let curiosity and questions, such as What if . . . ? How could we . . . ? I wonder what would happen if . . . . inspire and drive inquiry for you and your students.
"Trevor gives us the tools to help students generate and sort their questions in ways that thread the needle between authentic curiosity and curricular goals. Rooted in stories and examples of real classrooms, the collection of inquiry routines in this book will empower students to answer the most important questions in the classroom-the questions they, themselves, have asked."
-Peter Liljedahl, author, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
"In an increasingly complex, demanding, and uncertain global climate, the skill of asking thoughtful, critical, probing questions is more important than ever. . . . Trevor's timely contribution will be a welcome addition to any teacher's professional library!"
-Kath Murdoch, author, The Power of Inquiry
"I have no doubt that you will return to this offering time and time again to help you refine, rethink, and revisit the wonderings your learners bring to the table."
-Jessica Vance, author, Leading with a Lens of Inquiry
Industry Reviews
"Trevor has packed this book with powerful Question Routines, strategies, and big ideas that you can implement immediately with your learners and colleagues to help grow and further your inquiry practice." -Rebecca Bushby, co-author, Inquiry Mindset: Elementary Edition
"Clearly explained with rich examples of practice, this book will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to intentionally embed curiosity and questioning into your practice." -Becky Carlzon, Community Designer at Learning Pioneers
"Curiosity is the beating heart of inquiry. The Question Routines described here will support kids to stay engaged in their inquiries, discover new information, and learn a lot as they go. Happy reading!" -Stephanie Harvey, author, Comprehension and Collaboration
"The practicality of the Question Routines combined with the many stories of application were an easy call to action." -Bena Kallick, co-founder and co-director Institute for Habits of Mind
"The Question Routines he has developed and thoroughly tested through practice in a range of settings will stretch professional minds. Highly recommended!" -Linda Kaser and Judy Halbert, authors, Leading through Spirals of Inquiry
"Trevor MacKenzie's book presents a set of practical Question Routines to help launch students on their inquiry quests." -Jay McTighe, consultant and co-author of the Understanding by Design® series
"Trevor's much-anticipated fourth book is an essential guide for anyone eager to explore and expand their inquiry moves." -Kimberly L. Mitchell, founder, Inquiry Partners; author, Experience Inquiry
