Do you remember when … we did an Enquiry?
Using the PowerPoint sequence
This PowerPoint is designed to jog pupils’ memories of the enquiry process prior to undertaking a new enquiry. It uses the Sutton Hoo Enquiry Activity as an example but its focus is on the enquiry process itself. This is to make sure that learning is visible so that it can be re-used in other contexts.
If pupils are to use the Enquiry process effectively and independently (whether at KS2, KS3 or A level) they need to be able to describe the process explicitly. ‘We start with …’, ‘then we …’ etc. Initial teaching should therefore focus on introducing and clarifying the process itself, using activities such as that on Sutton Hoo.
Having begun to understand how to go about an enquiry, pupils will still need to remind themselves of this process before they undertake their next piece of work. This PowerPoint sequence (or ideally your own version of it) is therefore intended to be used as an introduction to the next enquiry in order to prompt memory of the process.
It’s not simply to be shown but to be used inter-actively with your class. As you move through the sequence of slides ask (depending on what’s appropriate) ‘what did you do next?’ ‘what kinds of questions did you ask?’ ‘what words did you use?’ – so that pupils have to think back to what they did before. Then when the answers come up, they confirm their memories of what they’d done. This is all about making learning visible and explicit so it can be re-used in other contexts.
Finally use this model to create your own version, adding your content and photos of your pupils to replace our photographs of PGCE trainees. It may also be useful stimulus for planning how to keep the idea of Enquiry alive across your KS2 course.