Inquiry and Passion Inspired Writing

After adapting my CSI (Communication, STEM and Inquiry) based literacy learning I have continued to work on the reading and writing link with my 5 year olds. The primary objective has been to build positive relationships where students feel comfortable to try new things and also to have fun! From there the learning, confidence and engagement has increased hugely. I have also focussed on getting students to inquire into their passion areas and then incorporate  their reading and writing through this.

It has wonderful to see the language used after experiments and exposure to different books. Talking about interest areas has really enhanced the language used in writing. Students have also engaged in their peers inquiry in different ways. One of the girls really connected to another students interest in volcanoes. She knew a lot about Taupo and Tongariro and its volcanic history as well as Maori legends about the area. She incorporated that thinking into the mini science experiments about lava and explosions as well. From there we recorded her thoughts orally on Seesaw. Bringing the story telling to the fore front and placing value on her knowledge and heritage.

Having mini STEM challenges based on picture books tied into an interest area has also been a great way to get discussion going and improve writing. This is an option for students to choose after they have read a seen or new text with me.

The collaboration between peers has been wonderful to see. It is really motivational for others to connect to an area you feel passionately about.

Also, students are taking more risks and trying to add language into their sentences that don't consist of simple sight words is wonderful to see! Having a provocation is a fantastic way to let students imaginations take off. I loved how students incorporated learning from their volcano inquiry into their dinosaur provocation!

I am looking forward to continuing with the interest/passion based inquiry for students next term. It is so important to have everyday reading and writing. The mix of structured learning and the oppourtunity to explore through Science, STEM and Inquiry lend a good balance and give a broad scope for literacy learning.