Research Inquiry – Part One

In response to many requests from children to negotiate projects as of late, we have decided to develop our inquiry focus around what a researcher is and the role of a researcher. As we focus on inquiry as a learning approach, investigating understandings of what research means to children is important. We would like to build the understanding of research from a fact finding process around a limited topic such as ‘the sea’ or ‘animals’ for example, into an understanding that research is a narrative, determined by the perspective and evidence provided by the researcher. Research is not just finding out what is already known and re-stating it but is also about creating new thinking.

In order to collect information as to the current understandings of research amongst the children we gave them a very open-ended research question, ‘Research the neighbourhood’. We filmed and analysed the responses of the children. From here we decided to pose a more specific question which incorporated the word story in association with research. ‘There are many stories in this school. Research a story of interest to you’. We wanted to see whether this would create different pathways of research. Again we filmed and analysed the learning. We also offered an opportunity for children who wanted to research a scientific story to do so.

As a result of our research in relation to research and research processes we are building some focus areas to work around and these big understandings are that

• Research needs to incorporate a range of experiences and sources of information 
• The use of the computer provides only one perspective 
• Research is to create your own narrative and your own interpretations with evidence to support the narrative. 
• There is a relationship between truth, perspective and research 

Research Inquiry - Part two

We would like to focus on building the understanding of what children think research is. To do this we will be asking each child to ‘Find someone who does research to interview about what they think research is’.

We will be supporting the children by offering workshops on;

• How to find people to question – sources
• Key information – purpose of questioning 
• Building good questions
• Interview techniques 
• Data collection 

We do ask parents to support their child in finding someone to be interviewed either in person, by phone or email.

Silver Key 2 Book Launch

The 3/4 neighbourhood played host to the launch of the book 'The Silver Key - Guardians of the Key' today. Author Nicole Cameron read sections of the story to a group of students from grades 2 to 6 and the Federal member for Melbourne Adam Bandt was on hand to officially launch the book as part of the national year of reading. The students had many questions for both Adam and Nicole about publishing  and writing, especially the grade 3 and 4 students who have been involved in the publication inquiry. Students were also very interested in the current state of federal politics. As always our students made us proud with their thoughtful questions and their level of engagement. 

If you wish to purchase the book please see Keith for an order form or look for the book at Readings in Carlton.

Premiers Reading Challenge

The deadline for submitting your Premiers' Reading Challenge (PRC) list of books is Monday 3 September.

Please enter the books eligible for the PRC, which you have read, onto your login page at the PRC website.

Then, print a list of books with your name on it and ask a parent/guardian to sign it. Give this signed printout to your Home Group Teacher. Enjoy the Challenge!

Parent Helpers for camp

The 3/4 neighbourhoods are still looking for one additional parent to accompany us on our annual camp which runs from the 10th til the 12th of September. Parent helpers are an important part of the camp as they aid the teachers to provide a safe and comfortable experience for the children. The camp will be a great experience for all involved, so if you think you would be able to assist us please contact one of the 3/4 teachers as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance,

The 3/4 team.

Alice in Wonderland

The preparation for the Alice in Wonderland production is in full swing this week, with full dress rehearsals coming up next Tuesday. The 3/4 neighbourhood teachers would all like to wish all those students involved the in production, be they performers, technicians or designers, all the best for Wednesday and Thursday night. We are all really looking forward to it.

Inquiry

We have completed our Imagination Inquiries. Samples of the children's learnings will be available in portfolios, on display boards and display books. The children will be celebrating the publication of some of their books in the Publication Inquiry with author Nicole Cameron coming in to launch her new book on the 29th of August (further details to follow).

Our new inquiry will be examining the role of the researcher, the purpose of research and the process of researching. This week an open ended research question was given to the children to simply "Research the Neighbourhood". We were interested to see what mediums they engaged with, what questions they asked, whether the children were able to set parameters in their response and what disciplines they connected with. We are building up an understanding of the children's perception of the term 'research'. We are framing another research question this coming week that is more specific, providing a bigger timeframe. Again, we will be looking closely at the research processes that they use.

Here are some photos of students from both neighbourhoods taken during the activity.

Some students captured the neighbourhood using a digital camera.

Students frequently used the internet as a research resource,
while some used more traditional means of recording their findings.

These students incorporated their previous inquiry by
collaborating on a book about the neighbourhood.

Some students used iTunes to make their findings 'speak'...

while other students created a performance based on their research.

Massimo and Jake are googling different items found in the
neighbourhood and recording them on a Word document. 

Florence, Via and Olivia have found the school on Google Street View.

Students reflect on the activity.

Cupcake Day

We have some enthusiastic and motivated children in our neighbourhood who have initiated a fundraising activity to raise money for the RSPCA by making cup cakes in an exchange for a donation. Although their enthusiasm and initiative have been commended, logistical and man power issues have forced us to rethink our timeline. Now that that the teachers have been involved, we will support the children to establish a manageable process. Unfortunately, this means we will be producing cupcakes for 34 neighbourhood 1 only. This is a good opportunity to remind parents that these types of events will always be accompanied by official notification.