A Whole School Approach to Inquiry Based Learning

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     A Whole School Approach
     to Inquiry Based Learning
     What’s Essential? P-6                                                                                                                                         Presenter: Kath Murdoch
                                                                                                                                                                   Kath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and
                                                                                                                                                                   popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools across
                                                                                                                                                                   Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. She is passionate about
                                                                                                                                                                   planning and teaching using inquiry based, integrated curriculum with
                                                                                                                                                                   a particular interest in supporting teachers in their professional learning
                                                                                                                                                                   journeys. Kath has ongoing partnerships with a range of schools and
                                                                                                                                                                   school clusters assisting them to develop integrative programmes and to
                                                                                                                                                                   build their repertoire of quality teaching and learning strategies.
                                                                                                                                                                    She regularly teaches in primary classes so the examples she shares
                                                                                                                                                                   are real and recent. Her work emphasises the way complex theories
                                                                                                                                                                   of teaching and learning can be translated to the classroom setting.
                                                                                                                                                                   She also specialises in supporting teams of teachers to work and plan
                                                                                                                                                                   together and to build professional learning into their daily practice. Kath
                                                                                                                                                                   is the author of many popular books for teachers including ‘Classroom
     Inquiry based learning is most effective in schools that                                                                                                      Connections’ and ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ (with Julie Hamston),
     have a whole school, whole staff approach.                                                                                                                    ‘Learning Links’ (with Jeni Wilson). Her latest book ‘Take a Moment’
                                                                                                                                                                   focuses on reflective thinking in the classroom. Kath is known for her
     Inquiry based learning is most effective in schools that have a whole school, whole staff approach.
                                                                                                                                                                   dynamic, practical and interactive sessions and for challenging teachers
     Inquiring schools have structures and organizational features that combine a robust and clear ‘map’
                                                                                                                                                                   to think about what, why and how they support students in
     for inquiry learning from P-6 whilst allowing for student voice and negotiation. This workshop will                                                           their learning.
     explore some practical responses to programming and planning for primary schools wishing to use an
     inquiry based approach to learning. The workshop will address the following questions and topics:
     •	 What	does	an	inquiring	school	look	like?
     •	 How	to	use	big	ideas	as	a	‘conceptual	framework’	for	units/contexts	for	inquiry
     •	 The	role	of	essential	questions	in	planning	for	inquiry	from	P-6
     •	 How	the	programming	needs	to	change	from	P-6	to	accommodate	the	developmental	readiness	
        and interests of children as they mature
     •	 The	relationship	between	VELS	and	inquiry	and	how	to	programme	to	ensure	that	essential	                                                                         Wednesday 21 October, 2009
        learnings are clearly connected to the planning process                                                                                                          9.30am – 3.30pm (Registration 9.15am)
     •	 The	role	of	students	in	helping	design	programmes	to	meet	their	interests
                                                                                                                                                                         Australian Institute of Management
     •	 The	importance	of	identifying	skills,	dispositions	and	‘content’	in	looking	at	a	P-6	approach.                                                                   181 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
     Kath will share examples of innovative programmes from several schools. Participants will leave the
                                                                                                                                                                   A Certificate of Completion is provided to each participant in all edpd
     workshop with an action plan for breathing life into tired programmes and a process that can involve                                                          workshops. These Certificates assist participants in the development of
     the whole school community. This will be a thought provoking and very practical workshop of value to                                                          their professional learning portfolios and in documenting the requirements
     all primary teachers and of particular relevance to curriculum coordinators and team leaders as plans                                                         of the Victorian Institute of Teaching for renewal of registration.
     are being made for 2010. Schools are encouraged to send a team along.
                                                                                                                                                                   CGS Extension Services – Trading as edpd (ABN 59 056 568 891)

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     A Whole School                                                                                                            Register Online at www.edpd.com.au
                                                                                                                               or please complete this Registration Form/Tax Invoice with the names of attendees
     Approach to Inquiry
     Based Learning:                                                                                                           Surname

     What's Essential? P-6                                                                                                     Given Name                  Pantone 390
                                                                                                        Please print clearly




                                                                                                                                                           40% Black


     Wednesday 21 October, 2009                                                                                                School                      Black                                     Year Level(s) Currently Teaching

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     The GST inclusive cost of this seminar is $245 per person,
     which includes registration fee, morning tea, lunch and notes.                                                                                                                                  Postcode
     • For registrations received after the cut off date                                                                       Telephone                                                             Fax
       (15 October), the cost of this seminar is $270 per person.
                                                                                                                               Mobile
     • An acknowledgement letter confirming your registration will be
       emailed one week prior to the seminar.                                                                                  Email Address

     Keep this original invoice for GST purposes and send a copy of the invoice with a cheque made payable to edpd – CGS Extension Services to arrive no later than
     Thursday 15 October, 2009 to: edpd, PO Box 610 Elsternwick 3185. Telephone: 03 9524 6222 Fax: 03 9524 6303 Email: seminars@edpd.com.au Web: www.edpd.com.au
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