Welcome Science Educators!
This site aims to offer valuable trade books that can be integrated in inquiry-based science classrooms. Specifically, the provided trade books are intended for students in grades 6th through 8th. The books offered are differentiated by reading levels, in order to target all readers. For example, books are offered for students reading below level, at level, and above grade level.
What is inquiry-based science?
Inquiry is an instructional model in which students construct their own knowledge of scientific concepts. Inquiry investigations require that students hypothesize, plan and conduct investigations, collect data, and formulate explanations. The 5-E model is one type of approach teachers can use to implement inquiry in their classrooms. The five stages of the model is engage, exploration, explain, extend, and evaluation.
Over the years, numerous of research studies and publications have supported using inquiry in science classrooms. According to research, inquiry instruction yields the following outcomes:
Over the years, numerous of research studies and publications have supported using inquiry in science classrooms. According to research, inquiry instruction yields the following outcomes:
- Inquiry permits students to take on the role of researchers. Acting as researchers guides students to integrate fundamental processing skills (Llewellyn, 2002).
- Inquiry sparks curiosity and imagination in students (Llewellyn, 2002).
- Inquiry instruction often permits students to use high-order thinking (Marshall & Horton, 2011).