Building Interpretive Building Interpretive and Critical Thinkingand Critical Thinking

• Overview of Junior Great Books- Learning Objectives of JGR- What is Shared Inquiry?

• Ooka and the Honest Thief Video

• Shared Inquiry Practice Discussion

Factual – Factual questions have one right answer that can be supported by

the text.Interpretive – questions have more

than one right answer that can be supported by the text.

Evaluative – questions have more than one right answer that can be supported

by our own values, knowledge, or experiences of life.

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OverviewOverviewFocus on interpretation and

discussion of literatureEach unit consists of:

- Story Introduction - Two readings of the story

- Questioning and note-taking activities- Shared Inquiry discussion- Writing activities

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INTRODUCTIONBefore Reading StrategyConnect to story, genre, background

knowledge Introduce important vocabularyHow would you introduce this story?

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FIRST READINGRead aloudAppropriate expressionLevels the playing field for students

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SHARING QUESTIONS and INITIAL REACTIONS

Clear up misunderstandingsGet help with vocabularySet the selection more firmly in mindPose interpretive or evaluative questionsStarting point for interpretive thinking

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SECOND READINGwith DIRECTED NOTES Texts are complex. We want students to be very familiar with

events and ideas in the story. Use post-it notes to mark places in the

story related to specific ideas or characters

Interpreting Through Art and WritingMy favorite partSomething that the story reminds me ofSomething from the story that scared meA part of the story I thought was funnyA sentence form the story that I liked and whyWhy I like/do not like this storyA part of the story I’m still wondering boutA note to the main character

Vocabulary

Place the word in contextDefine the wordUse the wordAsk a question about the story using the

wordAdd to Curious Words

Conducting Shared Inquiry

Arrange seating in a circleAn arrangement in which the leader and students can

see, listen to, and talk directly to one another encourages genuine interaction and stimulates discussion.

Having the leader be part of the discussion group and sit at eye level helps to avoid the teacher being seen as the authority on the story’s meaning. It communicates the kind of respect, responsibility, and empowerment desired.

Prepare a Seating Chart

During discussion, leaders take note of ideas and keep track of participation with the help of a seating chart.

Placing checkmarks beside students' names as they participate can help ensure that everyone has had the opportunity to join in the discussion.

Notes give you some record of the ideas expressed and can help you formulate follow-up questions.

Guidelines for Shared InquiryGuidelines for Shared InquiryReview the Guidelines1. Read the story carefully before participating

in the discussion.2. Discuss only the story everyone has read.3. Support your ideas with evidence from the

story.4. Listen to other participants and respond to

them directly.5. Expect the leader to only ask questions.

Pose an Interpretive QuestionInterpretive questions can be validly

answered in more than one way. Shared Inquiry focuses on a question that

can be adequately answered in more than one way, and that calls for supporting evidence and reasoning.

An interpretive question is most likely to generate a lively discussion.

They allow the leader and students to unlock the meaning of the text together through close and careful reading and discussion

Building Your Answer Form

This form is a place for students to write down the focus question they will discuss and their answer to that question.

Before discussion even begins, it is important for students to understand that there can be more than one good or valid answer to the question. This will help them feel free to try out ideas and explore an issue in depth.

Reflect and WriteGive students ample time to reflect and write an

answerPeople think in different ways and at different

rates. It is too easy to jump into discussion before everyone is truly ready.

Writing helps students think; it demands that they articulate their ideas in words and sentences. After writing, students are in a much better position to contribute constructively to the discussion.

Students who have written are also in a better position to listen to and appreciate the ideas of others. They don’t have to worry that they will forget their idea, and they have an established viewpoint from which to consider other alternatives.

Shared Inquiry DiscussionLead discussion by asking questions

Explain themselves Understand another student's idea or

answer Back up ideas with evidence from the text Express agreement or disagreement Talk directly to one another Pursue implications and answers Use follow-up questions

Follow-Up Questions

The leader asks follow-up questions that invite students to explain their comments, revisit the text, and develop their ideas.

They encourage students to…Support their idea with evidenceRespond to one another’s ideas

Reflective Thinking

Shared Inquiry is a reflective process.In a discussion, interpretive questions

provide the problem, while students’ ideas and the leader’s follow-up questions move each person toward an individual solution.

End Discussion After…

When students begin to range well outside the scope of the question, it can be a signal that their curiosity for that question has been satisfied.

When the same answer seems to be repeated with little or no development, it can be a sign to move on.

Closing Activity

Did you change your answer? Did you hear an idea you especially liked? What different answers to the question

did you hear? Are there other questions about the story

we have not explored?

WritingWriting• Responding to Literature – Explain interpretations• Essay development• Expository and persuasive writing

• Creative Writing – Extend interpretation• Other writing forms- letters, poems,

stories

Additional Activities Supporting Shared Inquiry Discussion Teacher's Editions and Leader's Guides contain suggested

activities designed to help students prepare for Shared Inquiry Discussion and to continue their exploration of meaning.

ArtDramatization Text Openers Multiple readings Note taking Generating and sharing questions Extended writing

In a Shared Inquiry discussion students learn to…

- Think for themselves- Concentrate on interpretation- Develop ideas and implications thoroughly- Use factual information from the text to

support their ideas- Recognize and respond to competing answers

and interpretations- Consider, evaluate, and use the insights of

others