Inquiry Groups

The morning of the AI mtg focused on our Inquiry Groups.

After the Inquiry Groups met… we reported out on how we are doing with our research and how

Natalie… now knows how to organize her data for her research. Cindy and Rebecca took care of it. She obviously had a lot to say (it is Natalie), but she isn’t sharing with the big group right now. Her session description is on her blog… she is better than the rest of us.

Stacey… was struggling with what to concentrate her research on, although she is really interested in research on team teaching, is going to stay focused on how to create writing groups. Her ideas of norm creation, “speed dating”, and different types of writing groups (autonomous, semi-autonomous, and disfunction junction). Cool ideas, sounds like a great demo.

E. Jason… is still working on how to properly use blogs in the classroom. He’s looking at expanding his blog work (on Lord of the Flies) to include the new reality show “Kid Nation”. As we talked, we basically created E. Jason’s demo… if he pulls it off, it will be awesome… teachers

Cindy… is continuing her book club research and trying to bring them into having controversial conversations as they participate in their clubs. The inquiry group helped her return to why she does what she does… “Teaching students to read, process, and compose texts in discerning ways.”

Rebecca… is feeling guilty about slacking. I’m not. As for her demo (about book clubs), she’s putting together her ideas including a mini-book club. As always, she is on top of things.

Jason… is still focusing on his blog stuff and will be joining forces with the other Jason to present different ways of utilizing blogs in the classroom.

Steph… realizes that she does NOT have to be the egomaniac sage on the stage. Her perspective on how her demo will go changed a lot through the inquiry group discussion. She has amazing ideas as a teacher, but is now starting to realize that many others will want to her what she has to say. Her demo, focusing on the teaching of poetry, is coming together though she feels much of her data will not be available for the conference. We say… who cares?