Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8 [Paperback]

Amy Edmonds Alvarado (Author), Patricia R. Herr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0761946802 | ISBN-13: 978-0761946809 | Edition: 1

This exciting new book explores how students can use everyday objects to answer essential questions, meet curriculum standards, and grow in observation, inquisitiveness, and reflective learning.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Amy Alvarado has thirteen years experience in the classroom and extensive expertise in helping educators improve instructional techniques and curriculum design in all content areas. She has an undergraduate degree in English and secondary education from the College of William and Mary and a masters degree in Educational Psychology with a specialization in gifted education from the University of Virginia. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Virginia.

Patricia Herr has eleven years of experience in the classroom and has participated in curriculum design in all academic areas during that time. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Science from Frostburg State University and a Masters Degree in Education from Marymount University. She also holds a certificate in Technology Education from George Mason University. She is currently teaching fifth grade at Ball’s Bluff Elementary School and has done so for the past seven years.

Mrs. Her has been identified twice as one of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Educators in Loudoun County, Virginia. Additionally, she has mentored new teachers and supervised student teachers. Mrs. Herr has been actively involved in the Minority Achievement Committee county wide, serving as the chair for two years, and the co-chair for two years. She helped develop a mentoring program that was implemented county wide. She has also been the recipient of a number of grants to further the practice of object based inquiry teaching which has benefited students school wide with the addition of a museum exhibit area in the school. She has worked as a mentor teacher for the Naturalist Center’s Iwonder program, helping other teacher learn to incorporate object-based inquiry strategies into their classrooms and to develop object-based inquiry lessons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 1 edition (April 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761946802
• ISBN-13: 978-0761946809
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful background info and practical applications, May 11, 2004

By 

R. Efthim "natcenter" (Lovettsville, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8 (Paperback)

This book is a very readable book on inquiry based teaching and learning. It is a good book for anyone interested in education... in schools, museums, or similar educational institutions. What I found useful is that the authors clearly understood the needs and concerns of classroom teachers, and were not interested in producing a purely academic textbook. They do a good job of talking about the value of using inquiry in the classroom, give practical examples, and offer a variety of lessons they have tested, that teachers can use directly, or use as models to design their own. It is an area of education that is seeing increasing interest by school administrations. I recommend this as a valuable introduction written by teachers who know their stuff!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed, February 18, 2009

By 

learner (Jordan, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8 (Paperback)

Phenomenal book- research based but totally practical. I have wanted to do inquiry based instruction for some time but not felt secure in doing so. This book has left me feeling empowered and ready to give it a try.

4.0 out of 5 stars Object based inquiry excellence, February 20, 2009

By 

Kenneth A. Jolly "Object Olly" (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inquiry-Based Learning Using Everyday Objects: Hands-On Instructional Strategies That Promote Active Learning in Grades 3-8 (Paperback)

An excellent text that works extremely well with the philosophy of Inquiry Based Learning. The use of differing objects to Tune-in and Sort Out student Inquiry is very good, all teachers should experiment with these techniques. The second half of the book provides excellent lesson plan models for Object-based inquiring in all domains of curricula. A wonderful text for todays aware teacher.