Inquiry Paths to Literacy Learning: A Guide for Elementary and Secondary School Educators

Inquiry Paths to Literacy Learning, a collection of chapters from secondary teachers and university researchers, offers English language arts teachers several models and considerations for how to design and implement inquiry-based teaching and learning. As the contributors demonstrate, an inquiry approach can significantly boost student achievement, understanding, and transfer of learning. The chapters in this collection present classroom-tested approaches, activities, and assignments that teachers can use right away, but that also serve as models for designing learning experiences that most engage and benefit learners. Focusing on issues that adolescents find consequential, the sample learning activities promote the development of complex literacy skills, engage students in evidence-based reasoning, and foster an environment of cooperation, collaboration, and respect for different points of view. Together, the contributions in this book envision the English language arts classroom as a supportive environment for authentic inquiry and for the genuine democratic processes involved in grappling together with tough perennial and contemporary issues.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Boise State University Acknowledgments Editors’ Introduction Elizabeth A. Kahn, Andrew Bouque, Dawn Forde, Thomas M. McCann, and Carolyn C. Walter Part I: An Invitation to Inquiry Chapter 1- Inquiring into Inquiry in English Language Arts Hugh Kesson, Michael W. Smith, and Jon-Philip Imbrenda Chapter 2- Inquiry-Based Processes for Writing Thomas M. McCann Chapter 3- Inquiry and Literature: Beginning with Why? Carolyn Calhoun Walter Chapter 4- Inquiring in First-Year Composition Shayne Dwyer and Faye Scott Part II: The Practice of Inquiry Chapter 5- Planning Inquiry-Based Learning Elizabeth A. Kahn Chapter 6- Managing Group Inquiry Patricia Dalton and Suzanne Starnes Chapter 7- Launching Independent Inquiries Deborah Stern and Stacey Carlough Chapter 8- Assessing the Impact of Inquiry Andrew Bouque Part III: Inquiry Beyond the ELA Classroom Chapter 9- Investigating Text and Self: Inquiry, Literacy, and Social-Emotional Learning Gabrielle Caputo and Shannon McMullen Chapter 10- Inquiry and Service Learning in Teacher Education Peter Smagorinsky Chapter 11- Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations: Valuing Inquiry to Navigate Controversy Peter Anderson and Dawn Forde Chapter 12- Learning with Tools of Digital Inquiry Mary Rice About the Editors About the Contributors