LSK3701
EXAM ANSWERS
OCTOBER
2024
, QUESTION 1
In inquiry-based teaching, the focus is on encouraging students to explore and
discover information on their own, rather than simply receiving knowledge from the
teacher. As a student teacher in a Foundation Phase classroom, my role is to create
an environment where children feel curious about the topic of weather. I want them
to ask questions and investigate different weather phenomena. Instead of just
lecturing them or giving them facts to memorize, I guide them as they learn. This
means providing opportunities for them to observe the weather, make predictions,
and discuss their findings with their peers.
Justifying this approach, inquiry-based teaching promotes deeper engagement and
understanding. When students are active participants in their learning, they develop
critical thinking skills and a sense of ownership over their education. This method
encourages them to connect new knowledge to their existing understanding, making
the learning experience more meaningful. In contrast, traditional teaching methods
can lead to passive learning, where students may memorize facts without truly
understanding or retaining the information. By fostering curiosity and exploration,
inquiry-based teaching helps students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
1.2
Incorporating movement into lessons, especially in the Foundation Phase, is essential
for keeping young learners engaged and enhancing their understanding of concepts.
For a weather lesson, I would introduce an activity where learners create a "Weather
Dance." In small groups, they would choreograph short dances that represent
different weather conditions, such as sunny, rainy, windy, or cloudy days. This type of
activity allows them to express the weather physically, using their bodies to simulate
the movements associated with these conditions—like stretching out their arms for a
sunny day or swaying to show wind.
Justifying this approach, physical activities, such as dancing, enhance learning by
helping children develop fine and gross motor skills. These activities also cater to
different learning styles, especially for kinaesthetic learners who understand better
through movement. In the Foundation Phase, children are still developing their motor
skills, and combining movement with academic concepts like weather helps them
build both cognitive and physical abilities. Additionally, movement-based activities
tend to capture children's attention more effectively, making the learning experience
more engaging and enjoyable. It also fosters teamwork and communication as
learners collaborate to choreograph their weather dances, which adds a social