Learning
Inquiry Approach
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Inquiry Approach
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Inquiry Approach
Inquiry is at the heart of teaching and learning at UCLA Lab School. It's a process of wondering about the world, asking questions, gathering information and taking action, woven into every subject we teach. Our approach is grounded in rigorous state and national standards, including the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, the C3 Social Studies Framework and ISTE Standards.
Our approach traces back nearly a century, to the progressive teaching methods of longtime principal Corinne A. Seeds, who believed children learn best through experiences they truly care about. That belief still shapes our classrooms today, right down to the spaces themselves. Teachers fill each room with resources and materials chosen to draw children in, encouraging them to move, explore and engage with their surroundings, so the environment itself becomes part of the learning.
What are the benefits of inquiry?
- Engages children by building on their ideas and interests
- Offers authentic learning experiences
- Provides a natural way to integrate art and art making
- Deepens understanding of the curriculum through an interdisciplinary approach
- Develops the habits of mind of lifelong learners
- Develops empathy, emotional intelligence and socialization
- Promotes 21st century skills: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication
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Launching
Teachers set the stage. They choose a topic, prepare the classroom and get to know what their students already care about, so the study builds on real curiosity from day one. -
Investigation
Students dig in. They ask questions, explore hands-on experiences, and gather information from books, experts, field trips and each other, making sense of what they're learning along the way. -
Application of Knowledge
Students put their learning to work. They create in-depth projects, share what they've discovered with others and, often, take real action on issues they care about. -
Documentation and Assessment
Throughout the process, teachers and students document their thinking and check in on progress, so learning stays visible and each study can grow and adjust as it unfolds.
What inquiry looks like in the classroom
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Early Childhood students design and sketch machines to pick up trash after studying litter on the playground.
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Primary students plant a garden to support monarch butterfly migration as part of a study on ecosystems.
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Intermediate students reimagine Los Angeles landmarks to shine a light on the city's social and environmental issues.
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Upper students design real solutions to real problems, from an app to ease traffic congestion to an alternative to plastic wrap for food storage.
At every age, children's own questions and interests guide the path, while our teachers make sure they're building toward the same rigorous standards in every subject.
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