Inquiry Project – Grade 3

Inquiry Project

To help us understand and answer our big question (What does it mean to be Caymanian?), each student will be inquiring into a certain aspect of Cayman. The children have now chosen their topics and written questions to guide their Inquiry. In class, research time will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. The rest of the research will need to be completed at home as part of their weekly homework. Once all research has been completed, children will present their information as a Power Point presentation. This will be worked on during the week 18 – 22 January. The children will then share their Power Point presentations either at the end of that week or the beginning of the next, 25 or 26 January. Parents will be informed about the time and date we intend to share our work so that they can come and view the Power Point presentations.

Rubric for Inquiry Project
	D	C	B	A
Questions	Teacher directs the focus of the Inquiry questions.	Some teacher assistance needed to write the focus for the Inquiry questions.	Little to no teacher assistance needed to write the focus for the Inquiry questions.	Independently writes thoughtful and engaging questions.
Research · Utilizes effective reading techniques e.g. skimming and scanning, finding the main idea, supporting details and the sequence of events. · Can use a variety of sources for information e.g. internet, books, personal expert. · Records where they found that information (source). · Records information neatly and in their own words i.e. does not copy sentences/paragraphs from their source. · Answers their questions which were written to guide their Inquiry.
Expectations for Grading	Meets only one or two of the research criteria.	Meets three of the research criteria. May meet more of the criteria but only with a lot of teacher/adult input.	Meets four of the research criteria	Meets all five of the research criteria.
Presentation · Is able to use the features of Power Point e.g. create new slides, add pictures, animations and backgrounds. · Slides are appropriately sequenced with helpful headings. · Only main points are listed on the Power Point and the speaker adds more details about their research as they present. · Shows a thorough understanding of their topic by effectively answering questions from others at the end of their presentation.
Expectations for Grading	Meets only one or two of presentation criteria.	Meets two or three of the presentation criteria.	Meets three to four of the presentation criteria.	Meets all the presentation criteria. Shows a confidence about their topic as an ‘expert’ in this area.