Enjoying operas in French, exploring caves near Castlemaine and debating the importance of zoos aren’t topics that are traditionally studied at primary school.
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But the inquiry-based learning being done at Lockwood Primary School has seen students developing analytical skills to consider and answer the bigger questions.
Lockwood Primary School principal Sally rule said inquiry-based learning encourages students to discover which areas most appeal to them.
“Rather than kids doing literacy, numeracy and science as subjects in isolation, they answer a question given to them at start of term using aspects from English, maths a science,” she said.
“So they spend the term answering that question and taking excursions that relate to that topic.”
This semester Lockwood Primary students have been considering which area of the performing arts appeals to them the most.
It has seen them visit The Capital theatre to see the Victorian Opera perform, undertake a technical tour of Ulumbarra and have the Crusoe College Band perform at the school.
“Students might be interested in drama, music or dance but we investigate all of them,” Ms Rule said.
“During the technical tour of Ulumbarra they found out how the lights work, how the pulleys and movements are done and how the stage is set up for shows.”
Ms Rule said Finland has led the way with inquiry-based learning and even stopped teaching subject-based studies.
“Instead of English or maths they have a unit that answers a question and links in maths, social studies, literature and science together,” she said.
“Their unit might have a maths or historical basis but it is also a proven way to get students to consider a deeper understanding (of the subject).
“It is also about having emphasis on knowing what type learners students are and trying to get them to articulate what they like and why.”
Ms Rule said while some schools spend only an hour each day on inquiry-based learning, Lockwood Primary works to involve it in each subject.
“We do it through everything. Even the specialist subjects like science and art have planning time for it,” she said.
“Prep students answered the question ‘do we need zoos?’ and another class looked at the impact exploration has on people’s lives.
“We have always had inquiry (subjects) but it was always a topic. This has an actual progression in thinking, a sequence of ideas. It is also based on what kids are interested in.”