The Inquiry Model

Week One of #ProjectSpeak has students exploring the question, "What is something you care about and think others should too?" in the Free Inquiry class and "How can we make school better?" in the Structured Inquiry class. With those questions in mind student brainstorm ideas and share in small groups then whole class discussions. Mini-lessons include looking at sources of information, how to effectively search the internet, introductions to our digital record resource Padlet, and the elements and assessment of #ProjectSpeak

Week Two and Three of #ProjectSpeak serves as the time we build our Padlet collections to revisit in the Processing week. Students explore resources and gather them for deeper dives during this time. Decisions around final topic and if their chosen topic might be too difficult are made during this time. Reflection at this stage is in the form of "The Pitch" where students explain the why behind their chosen topic. Mini-lessons at this time including analyzing the quality of sources and how to effectively summarize material we have read.

Week Three of #ProjectSpeak asks student to begin the process of collecting specific data to inform their essay on their chosen topic. Students will choose which sources from their Padlet supply them with the best information. Mini-lessons for this week include identifying main idea and supporting details and citing sources.

Week four and five of #ProjectSpeak has students compiling their found information and creating a research essay and advertising campaign as the first products of their project. Assessment will be in the form of a single-point rubric and feedback for each element. Progress checks will be ongoing with teacher created checklists and notes. Mini-lessons will include essay writing, using in-text citations properly, and multimodal work in advertising.

Week Six of #ProjectSpeak asks students to take all that they have learned throughout the inquiry and develop a short Ted Talk or equivalent presentation to share with their audience. Assessment at this stage will include Say Back sessions and a Single-Point Rubric for the presentation Mini-lessons for this week will include TED talk studies, public speaking, and presentation design.

Through each section of the unit students will have check-in opportunities to reflect on process and product. Single-point rubrics will be utilized for all final products.

Reflection will be ongoing through the Unit. Weekly checkins will insure students are on track or adjusting when needed.