Inquiy-Based Learning in the Classroom

     I have used inquiry-based learning in the form of webquests while teaching high school English in the past. In particular, I remember using a webquest with the goal of students writing a persuasive essay about the war in Iraq. I set up a document with several sources relating to current events and politics. I then had the students search these sites in order to find answers to questions I had written regarding the war. For instance, I asked: How much does the war cost the U.S. everyday? After answering these questions through their research, they were able to form an opinion about the war and talk about in an educated manner.
     I thought it was important for the students to able to form an opinion about important current events. This is a good example of how inquiry-based learning can be used in the classroom to help students in the future. Many of the students could now hold endless discussions on the Iraq war and war itself.
    

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UDL for Active Readers

I have posted my UDL and the subject is active reading. When students read there are many tools they can use to help them gain a strong understanding of the text. There are different "tools" they can use to help them regardless of their love or level of reading. These "tools" fall under three categories: Pre-Reading, During Reading and Post Reading. I have created a tree with an example of each tool under each category.

My Godson, Keegan, as Odysseus

In this image my Godson Keegan is playing the part of Odysseus. This is an example of how Photoshop can be used to help students visualize themselves as a part of the story. Any student can be inserted into an image to make literature such as Homer's "Odyssey" more relevant. Please feel free to comment and let me know what you think...