The Mind Lab: Teacher Inquiry

After spending this term break writing a literature review and teacher inquiry plan, as a part of my studies at The Mind Lab, I thought I'd share the research that will be inspiring my teaching this term as I open a new year 1/2 classroom. 

I chose the Spiral of Inquiry for the structural framework for my teaching inquiry. The intent of the Spiral of Inquiry is to develop innovative teaching practice that results in positive student outcomes. The Spiral of Inquiry responds to the needs of the students, rather than the interests of the teacher. The Spiral of Inquiry focuses on creating a positive community of learning through trust, respect, collaboration and shared responsibility. This is in tune with our New Zealand context and the Kaupapa Maori philosophy of education. 

The following paragraph is the "new learning" stage of the spiral of inquiry directly from my teaching inquiry assignment: 

Children from low socioeconomic families, like the learners I teach, are exposed to prolonged stress. Thompson writes, “the biological effects of stress undermine the ability of children to focus on their own thinking” (p. 44). When they are faced with challenges in their learning, they become disengaged, as they are unable to identify the strategies needed to continue learning. This adaptive response serves them poorly in school, where they much concentrate and cooperate to do well. However, the plasticity of child’s developing brain is an opportunity for these ways of thinking to be buffered or reversed when intervention happens early in a child’s development. Therein lies the core belief of Carol Dweck’s growth mindset, that a person who holds a growth mindset sees intelligence as changeable, that through hard work, dedication and time, new talents can be learnt and intellect can be expanded. Seagal Education shares that through play children are better able to understand abstract concepts, like growth mindset. The teacher plays a vital role in facilitating play that instills a growth mindset. 

We'll be beginning our learning journey as a class by reading "My Fantastic Elastic Brain" by JoAnne Deak. This picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. 

I am looking from hands on activities or picture books that promote a shared language of learning.

Any ideas? 

Kia Kaha!