What is my role in an inquiry classroom?
The success of your inquiry classroom comes from a shift in your role from the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side.” You are the key facilitator of learning in the inquiry classroom. You are the leader, the coach, the question asker, the seeker of resources, and the theory builder. Although there are still many times when you present information to students, you are not solely responsible to impart all of the information. Students participate as question askers and seekers of answers. You thoughtfully orchestrate learning experiences based on the students’ prior knowledge and interests, and the guidelines of the science standards. In addition you document the students’ progress with ongoing (formative) and final (summative) types of assessments. You create a rich variety of assessments for students to “show what they know.
