Enquiry Based Learning

(Year 3 - 6)

Enquiry based learning builds upon the foundations established through continuous provision. We strive to continue to develop our children’s journey as highly engaged, enthusiastic, independent learners and we believe that our approach makes learning irresistible. We facilitate enquiry based learning through a weekly ‘enquiry day’ for Years 3 to 6. On this day each week, children have the chance to immerse themselves fully in our History and Geography topics. Children spend the entire day developing a deep knowledge about their area of study in a truly cross-curricular way and becoming experts in what they are studying.

Our Enquiry process follows a three-part approach:

Knowledge

The first 6 weeks of an enquiry topic focus on providing the children with a deep knowledge base in their area of study. Teacher’s ensure learning is memorable by planning engaging, physical experiences for the children. These include creating tornadoes as part of our Year 3 topic ‘Natural Disasters’ and building their own Roman shields in Year 4. These activities are supported by a variety of retrieval and memory games to ensure all children are able to retell key facts from their topics. Due to this approach, children at our school have outstanding knowledge about their History and Geography learning.

Researching an area of interest

After establishing a solid knowledge base, children at Burnt Ash have the chance to take their learning in a direction that interests them. They consider an area they would like to learn even more about and teachers help them to break this down into key questions. Children then have the opportunity to research this information through a range of beautiful non-fiction books and online resources such as child-safe search engines and Kids Britannica. Children read and understand what they have found out as they can relate it to prior knowledge on the topic. They then present this to each other through posters, virtual slideshows, essays and speeches. This demonstration of knowledge provides a fantastic opportunity for our children to develop their oracy skills both as a clear and confident presenter and as an active and engaged listener asking insightful questions about the work of others.

Creating something authentic

The final part of the enquiry process challenges children to contextualise their learning by creating something that fits into the world they have been studying. One example of this is children creating their own Ancient Greek God or Goddess. The Ancient Greeks used Gods or Goddesses to explain things in the world they did not understand. Gods and Goddesses also often looked like humans and had entertaining myths written about them that showed their character and their flaws. At this stage, children would bring all of their learning together and create their own God or Goddess, including information about how and where they were worshipped and a myth involving them. This is fantastic way for the children to showcase everything they have learned in a creative and engaging manner.