Virtual Field Trip
Due to Covid our class was not able to visit kindergarten teacher Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt in person, so we were lucky enough to listen to a recording from 2019.
Mrs. Bathurst-Hunt opened up my mind about the power of inquiry and provocations. Both inquiry and provocations spark curiosity within students, it allows them to explore a passion without thinking about what is right or wrong, they have a strong focus on what have you learned.
Inquiry can start more structured to allow the students to learn exactly what is an inquiry. From there they develop the skills they need in order to complete a free inquiry, which is just that completely free. The students are allowed to choose their own topics and dive into something that they are passionate about.
Stages of Inquires, illustrated by Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt
We have started learning about inquiries in our classes at UVic, this topic has been very new to me, but I love the idea that it creates creative thinking and critical thinking.
Something new I learned from this field trip is a provocation, which is when you present a picture to the class and ask the following questions:
- What do you see?
- What do you know?
- What do you wonder?
Provocations: to stir thought, wonder, engagement, curiosity and questions with our learners
At the beginning of the virtual field trip, I believe that inquiry and provocations would start during the intermediate years, but I was wrong. The idea of introducing both topics when students are young allows them to build curiosity and learn how to ask questions.
