The following standards-based lesson plans—from the Beacon Learning Center—provide practical classroom applications of open (student-initiated) inquiry.

Elementary School Lessons

• Crazy Putty Ratio
  Students mix various ratios of liquid starch and glue to make CRAZY PUTTY (their variation of Silly Putty) using knowledge of measurements and ratios. They chart their ratios, make observations, and write summary of activity.

• Roll On
  Structured Inquiry lesson on Force and Motion. Observe how forces such as gravity, friction, equal, unequal forces and change in direction cause marbles to move. Small groups will develop and present models to explain the forces they observe.

• Flight Fair
  The teacher seizes the teachable moment to announce The Flight Fair, an opportunity for the students to conduct their personal investigations into paper airplane flight.