Re: Discovery (Inquiry learning)

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The thing about discovery learning is that we really CAN'T lead
them down the correct path. One of the main features of this math
approach is allowing the kids to discover their own methods for
how to solve problems. We may not even have THOUGHT of the
methods that they derive, so we can't just lead them down one
path. All we are allowed to do is say, "Explain your thinking
here." "How did you get that answer?" "Why did you set up the
manipulatives this way?" As your friend Bruce said, Jan, we
CANNOT lead them at all. We can only ask questions which help US
figure out what the children are thinking--their conceptions and
misconceptions.

The controlling part of me has difficulty with this when I see
them struggle for so long down what I perceive to be an incorrect
path. Normally, these kids don't discover it on their own. They
have to "borrow" thinking from a nearby peer to get moving down
ANY path at all. But occasionally the kids surprise me. They
come up with a solution or a path that I had not thought of. It
is valid. It works. I had not thought of it. If I had been too
controlling, that path would not have been discovered.
John Van de Walle is the book we have been reading about problem-
based inquiry learning with math for this process.  

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