Mini Inquiry- The ANZAC's

Today we began our mini co-operative inquiry projects based on ANZAC day.  This term we are focusing on creating deep research questions- deep questions give us more than just a 'yes' or 'no' answer and help us to gather heaps of relivant, interesting and factual information.  We will use this information to create posters explaining the significance of ANZAC day to New Zealanders.

Another new skill we are practicing is creating BIBLIOGRAPHIES.  The children are beginning to keep an accurate record of the  many sources of information they use while researching.  This is an important referencing skill to have as they get older.

I enjoyed listening to the children co operatively problem solving as they resrearched.  For example one child said to their partner...

"I typed in 'Why did the war start', and i can't find anything".
"Well what war was it"?
"Um... world war one i think"
"So maybe we should try ' how did WW1 start', ok?

These problem solving and specific questioning skills will be really important as the children engage in more inquiry work throughout their schooling.