Overview of shared inquiry discussions

1. Building Interpretive andBuilding Interpretive and
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

2. • Overview of Junior Great Books
- Learning Objectives of JGR
- What is Shared Inquiry?
• Ooka and the Honest Thief Video
• Shared Inquiry Practice Discussion

10. Factual – Factual questions have one right
answer that can be supported by the text.
Interpretive – questions have more than one
right answer that can be supported by the text.
Evaluative – questions have more than one
right answer that can be supported by our own
values, knowledge, or experiences of life.
10

11. OverviewOverview
Focus on interpretation and discussion of
literature
Each unit consists of:
- Story Introduction
- Two readings of the story
- Questioning and note-taking activities
- Shared Inquiry discussion
- Writing activities

12. 12
INTRODUCTION
Before Reading Strategy
Connect to story, genre, background knowledge
Introduce important vocabulary
How would you introduce this story?

13. 13
FIRST READING
Read aloud
Appropriate expression
Levels the playing field for students

14. 14
SHARING QUESTIONS and
INITIAL REACTIONS
Clear up misunderstandings
Get help with vocabulary
Set the selection more firmly in mind
Pose interpretive or evaluative questions
Starting point for interpretive thinking

15. 15
SECOND READING
with DIRECTED NOTES
 Texts are complex.
 We want students to be very familiar with events
and ideas in the story.
 Use post-it notes to mark places in the story
related to specific ideas or characters

16. Interpreting Through Art and
Writing
My favorite part
Something that the story reminds me of
Something from the story that scared me
A part of the story I thought was funny
A sentence form the story that I liked and why
Why I like/do not like this story
A part of the story I’m still wondering bout
A note to the main character

17. Vocabulary
Place the word in context
Define the word
Use the word
Ask a question about the story using the word
Add to Curious Words

18. Conducting Shared Inquiry
Arrange seating in a circle
An arrangement in which the leader and students can see, listen
to, and talk directly to one another encourages genuine
interaction and stimulates discussion.
Having the leader be part of the discussion group and sit at eye
level helps to avoid the teacher being seen as the authority on
the story’s meaning. It communicates the kind of respect,
responsibility, and empowerment desired.

19. Prepare a Seating Chart
During discussion, leaders take note of ideas and
keep track of participation with the help of a seating
chart.
Placing checkmarks beside students' names as they
participate can help ensure that everyone has had the
opportunity to join in the discussion.
Notes give you some record of the ideas expressed
and can help you formulate follow-up questions.

20. Guidelines for Shared InquiryGuidelines for Shared Inquiry
Review the Guidelines
1. Read the story carefully before participating in the
discussion.
2. Discuss only the story everyone has read.
3. Support your ideas with evidence from the story.
4. Listen to other participants and respond to them
directly.
5. Expect the leader to only ask questions.

21. Pose an Interpretive Question
Interpretive questions can be validly answered in
more than one way.
Shared Inquiry focuses on a question that can be
adequately answered in more than one way, and
that calls for supporting evidence and reasoning.
An interpretive question is most likely to generate
a lively discussion.
They allow the leader and students to unlock the
meaning of the text together through close and
careful reading and discussion

22. Building Your Answer Form
This form is a place for students to write down
the focus question they will discuss and their
answer to that question.
Before discussion even begins, it is important for
students to understand that there can be more
than one good or valid answer to the question.
This will help them feel free to try out ideas and
explore an issue in depth.

23. Reflect and Write
Give students ample time to reflect and write an answer
People think in different ways and at different rates. It is
too easy to jump into discussion before everyone is truly
ready.
Writing helps students think; it demands that they
articulate their ideas in words and sentences. After
writing, students are in a much better position to
contribute constructively to the discussion.
Students who have written are also in a better position to
listen to and appreciate the ideas of others. They don’t
have to worry that they will forget their idea, and they
have an established viewpoint from which to consider
other alternatives.

24. Shared Inquiry Discussion
Lead discussion by asking questions
Explain themselves
Understand another student's idea or answer
Back up ideas with evidence from the text
Express agreement or disagreement
Talk directly to one another
Pursue implications and answers
Use follow-up questions

25. Follow-Up Questions
The leader asks follow-up questions that invite
students to explain their comments, revisit the
text, and develop their ideas.
They encourage students to…
Support their idea with evidence
Respond to one another’s ideas

26. Reflective Thinking
Shared Inquiry is a reflective process.
In a discussion, interpretive questions provide the
problem, while students’ ideas and the leader’s
follow-up questions move each person toward an
individual solution.

27. End Discussion After…
 When students begin to range well outside the
scope of the question, it can be a signal that
their curiosity for that question has been
satisfied.
 When the same answer seems to be repeated
with little or no development, it can be a sign to
move on.

28. Closing Activity
Did you change your answer?
Did you hear an idea you especially liked?
What different answers to the question did you
hear?
Are there other questions about the story we have
not explored?

29. WritingWriting
• Responding to Literature –
Explain interpretations
• Essay development
• Expository and persuasive writing
• Creative Writing –
Extend interpretation
• Other writing forms- letters, poems, stories

30. Additional Activities Supporting Shared
Inquiry Discussion
 Teacher's Editions and Leader's Guides contain suggested activities
designed to help students prepare for Shared Inquiry Discussion and to
continue their exploration of meaning.
Art
Dramatization
Text Openers
Multiple readings
Note taking
Generating and sharing questions
Extended writing

31. In a Shared Inquiry discussion students
learn to…
- Think for themselves
- Concentrate on interpretation
- Develop ideas and implications thoroughly
- Use factual information from the text to support their
ideas
- Recognize and respond to competing answers and
interpretations
- Consider, evaluate, and use the insights of others