K.+Lesson+Comparison

Each grade level is participating in a birding project that encourages students to explore things around them and pose questions. Questioning is an extremely important element of life long learning. Without questioning, students are unable to expand their knowledge in a way that has rich, meaningful depth. Not only do students learn more when they form quality questions, but answering these questions is often exciting and provokes the student to search for more information with genuine excitement. This excitement is what advances the students ability to find joy and success in learning.

The standards and exercises for grade three are almost strictly about observation skills. Students are asked to record their observations and then simply relate to why this information is relevant. How can these students apply these observation skills to their daily life, or use their previous knowledge about birds, for example, to propel their meaningful questioning? It is normal for the grade 3 students to require a bit more guidance from their teacher or media specialist. Teachers will display strong questioning skills in front of their students, and provoke students to think more deeply about their own questions.

Students in grade six are asked to complete the same basic observational and exploratory skills learned in grade three, but they are also required to take these observations and questions further. The students in grade 6 have gained a certain level of maturity that will inspire them to ask questions that are outside of the box, or questions that relate to the larger picture. After they have posed their questions, they are then required to find the answers. Teachers will play a more noticeable role during the research of answers, as opposed to the questioning phase. Teachers and media specialists will encourage students to reach out among multiple resource options that are available. The students have access to valuable materials, whether it be media center computers and resources, or the skill of conversation that would allow for them to communicate with classmates and professional birders within their community. This element of communication will allow students to observe the ways in which birds impact the entire community, and how their community impacts the birds. Reflecting upon these topics will inspire deep thought and valuable questioning once again.

The base standard for each grade is 1.1.1 "Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real-world connection for using this process in own life." Grade 3 students are to learn how to be more self-directed in their questioning, and simply learning the value of thoughtful exploration. This project is not so much about finding all the right answers, but is more about growing as an individual or inquirer. Grade 3 students are working on building up their own inquiry skills and strategies.

Grade 6 students are to take this one step further and be self-driven in their exploration of answers to their proposed questions. For example, one of the Grade 6 standards is 4.2.2 "Demonstrate motivation by seeking information to answer personal questions and interests, trying a variety of formats and genres, and displaying a willingness to go beyond academic requirements." Their questioning should come more naturally at this age, and therefore, they are evaluated more critically on their ability to think creatively about finding answers among a variety of resources.