This week I was inspired by Simone Littledale from VISII on her discussion on individualized learning through inquiry and the school. While she was speaking all I could think about was Oak and Orca Bioregional School. There are many similarities between the two schools. Some of the major ones being the inquiry style of learning, 1:1 check ins, quite spaces, body breaks, and the overall schedule.

These schools are spaces for kiddos who do not succeed in the traditional schooling system. Some needing more challenge, and some just need way less stimulation.

Days after the conversation with Simon, some of my peers and I raised questions about the accessibility of attending an inquiry school given its high price point. Other questions emerged regarding how to identify an inquiry program suitable for adoption by the school. This inspired me to contemplate ways in which the public school classroom could foster inclusion, curiosity, and connection through inquiry-based learning. Here is a list of methods through which a public school teacher might cultivate an atmosphere of inquiry in their classroom::

Project based learning
Listening to the students and really hearing them!
Being super clear about expectations and the BC curriculum and creating unit plans together
Emphasize critical thinking (Encouraging questioning)
Cultivating belonging in the classroom

And this is from Chat GPT asking the question:
“How can a public school teacher create an atmosphere of inquiry in their classroom?”

  • Encourage Questions: Foster an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions about the subject matter. Reinforce the idea that there are no ‘silly’ questions.
  • Promote Curiosity: Stimulate curiosity by presenting intriguing problems or topics that prompt students to want to know more.
  • Provide Resources: Offer access to a variety of resources such as books, articles, videos, and experiments that allow students to explore topics in-depth.
  • Emphasize Critical Thinking: Encourage students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information rather than simply memorizing facts. Teach them to question assumptions and think critically about the material.
  • Facilitate Discussions: Arrange discussions where students can express their opinions, share their perspectives, and engage in respectful debates. Encourage active listening and constructive feedback.
  • Hands-on Activities: Incorporate hands-on activities, experiments, and projects that allow students to actively engage with the material and discover concepts for themselves.
  • Support Investigation: Provide opportunities for students to conduct their own research and investigations. Guide them through the process of formulating research questions, designing experiments, and analyzing results.
  • Model Inquiry: Demonstrate curiosity and a passion for learning yourself. Show enthusiasm for exploring new ideas and encourage students to follow your example.
  • Encourage Collaboration: Foster a collaborative learning environment where students can work together to solve problems, share insights, and learn from each other’s perspectives.
  • Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback that helps students deepen their understanding and refine their thinking. Encourage them to reflect on their learning process and identify areas for improvement.
  • Celebrate Curiosity: Recognize and celebrate curiosity and inquiry-driven learning by highlighting student achievements and showcasing their work.


Overall, I think it is our responsibility to hold space in the classroom for inquiry to thrive.