Develop questions for formal and informal inquiry

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.110.36.11A primary
  develop questions for formal and informal inquiry;
• TEKS.110.36.11B primary
  critique the research process at each step to implement changes as needs occur and are identified;
• TEKS.110.36.11C primary
  develop and revise a plan;

Lesson Overview

This Grade 9 English Language Arts and Reading lesson focuses on developing questions for both formal and informal inquiry. Students will learn to create meaningful questions, critique their research process, and develop and revise inquiry plans. The lesson aligns with TEKS standards for English I and supports students in engaging with multiple texts through recursive inquiry processes for various purposes.

Learning Objectives

• Create clear and purposeful questions for formal and informal inquiry.
• Evaluate and critique each step of the research process to make improvements as needed.
• Develop and revise a research or inquiry plan based on feedback and reflection.

Success Criteria

• Students can generate relevant and focused questions for different inquiry types.
• Students can identify strengths and weaknesses in their research process and suggest improvements.
• Students can create and adjust a plan for inquiry that guides their research effectively.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should understand the basic concept of inquiry and research, including the purpose of asking questions and gathering information from multiple sources. They should have experience with reading and discussing texts and be familiar with planning steps for research projects.

Key Vocabulary

• Inquiry
• Formal inquiry
• Informal inquiry
• Research process
• Critique
• Plan
• Revise
• Question development

Materials and Resources

• Sample mentor texts or oral examples demonstrating question development
• Graphic organizers for planning inquiry
• Research process checklist or rubric
• Writing materials or digital devices for note-taking

Teacher Preparation

• Select mentor texts or examples illustrating formal and informal inquiry questions.
• Prepare guiding questions to support student discussion and reflection.
• Create or gather graphic organizers to help students develop and revise inquiry plans.
• Prepare a checklist or rubric for critiquing the research process steps.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Inquiry and Its Types

Inquiry is the process of asking questions to gain knowledge or solve problems. Formal inquiry involves structured, often academic or scientific questions, while informal inquiry includes everyday questions that arise naturally. Understanding the difference helps students tailor their questions to the context and purpose of their research or exploration.

Developing Questions for Inquiry

Effective inquiry begins with developing clear, focused questions. For formal inquiry, questions should be specific, researchable, and open-ended to encourage investigation. Informal inquiry questions might be broader or more conversational but still aim to deepen understanding. Teaching students to distinguish between types of questions and their purposes supports stronger inquiry skills.

Critiquing the Research Process

Research is a recursive process involving planning, gathering information, evaluating sources, and reflecting. Critiquing means examining each step to identify what works well and what needs improvement. Students learn to ask themselves if their questions are guiding their research effectively, if their sources are reliable, and if their plan needs adjustment. This critical reflection leads to better outcomes.

Developing and Revising an Inquiry Plan

A plan outlines the steps students will take to answer their questions. It includes identifying resources, timelines, and methods of gathering information. Revising the plan is essential as new information or challenges arise. Teaching students to be flexible and responsive in their planning encourages persistence and adaptability in research.

Common Misconceptions

Students may think that any question is good for inquiry without considering clarity or focus. They might also believe that once a plan is made, it should not change. Emphasizing the importance of question quality and the iterative nature of planning helps correct these misunderstandings.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Students work in pairs or small groups to analyze examples and create their own questions for given topics.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What is the difference between a formal inquiry question and an informal inquiry question?
2. Developing: Look at the following question: 'What are the effects of pollution on local wildlife?' Is this a formal or informal inquiry question? Explain why.
3. Application: Create two questions about a topic you are interested in: one formal inquiry question and one informal inquiry question.
4. Analysis: Review a research plan that includes the question 'What causes climate change?' The plan has no steps for evaluating sources. What critique would you give to improve the research process?
5. Challenge: You developed a plan to research 'The history of jazz music,' but after starting, you find many sources are outdated. How would you revise your plan to address this issue?

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. A formal inquiry question is specific, focused, and designed for structured research, while an informal inquiry question is more general and used in everyday or casual questioning.
2. 2. It is a formal inquiry question because it is specific, researchable, and aims to investigate a particular issue in detail.
3. 3. Answers will vary but should include one specific, researchable question (formal) and one broader or conversational question (informal). For example, for the topic 'video games': Formal: 'How do video games influence problem-solving skills in teenagers?' Informal: 'Why do people enjoy playing video games?'
4. 4. I would suggest adding steps to evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources to ensure the information gathered is accurate and trustworthy.
5. 5. I would revise the plan to include searching for more recent sources, possibly expanding the types of sources used, and setting criteria for source currency to ensure up-to-date information.

Guiding Questions

• What is the difference between formal and informal inquiry questions?
• How can you improve your research process?
• Why is revising your plan important during inquiry?

Common Misconceptions

• Any question is suitable for inquiry regardless of clarity or focus.
• Once a research plan is made, it should not be changed.
• Formal and informal inquiry questions are the same and can be used interchangeably.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in brainstorming and question development activities.
• Review students' initial inquiry plans and critique notes.
• Monitor peer feedback sessions for understanding.
• Write one formal and one informal inquiry question about a given topic.
• Explain one change you made to your inquiry plan and why.
• Identify one step in the research process you improved after critique.
• Complete a research project using developed questions and revised plans.
• Present findings and reflect on the inquiry process.
• Submit a written reflection on how critique improved their research.

Answer Guide

• What is the difference between a formal and informal inquiry question?
  Answer: A formal inquiry question is specific and designed for structured research, while an informal inquiry question is more general and used in everyday contexts.
• How can critiquing the research process improve your inquiry?
  Answer: Critiquing helps identify what is working and what needs improvement, allowing you to make changes that lead to better research outcomes.
• Why is it important to revise your inquiry plan?
  Answer: Revising the plan allows you to adapt to new information or challenges, making your research more effective and organized.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to ask formal and informal questions about topics of interest at home and discuss how they might research answers using books, websites, or family interviews.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to ask formal and informal questions about topics of interest at home and discuss how they might research answers using books, websites, or family interviews.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learned to develop clear and purposeful questions for both formal and informal inquiry. They practiced critiquing their research process to identify improvements and developed plans that they revised based on feedback and reflection. These skills support effective inquiry and research, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with multiple texts and sources.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

Related Lessons