Inquiry Based Learning Activities for Teachers
Explore inquiry-based learning activities created by teachers to launch students into open-ended investigations and tasks that encourage them to think critically and logically to complete tasks.
The projects in this teaching resource collection were created by the teachers on the Teach Starter team to encourage independence and self-management while empowering students!
Curious about adding inquiry based learning to your classroom? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Inquiry-based learning is a pedagogical approach that focuses on active student engagement and exploration by asking questions, investigating and seeking answers.
Whew. That was a mouthful!
Essentially, this approach encourages students to become more independent learners by letting kids be curious and question!
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Lapbook - All About Me Template
Skip the "All About Me" worksheet and create an About Me lapbook on the first day of school.
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New Year's Party Planning - STEM Project
Reap the benefits of STEM education by inspiring your students to plan, organize, and budget for a New Year’s Eve party for the classroom.
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Making a Timeline of My Life Project
Teach your students how to make a timeline with a Create a Timeline Project.
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3D Christmas Ornaments Printable - STEM Challenge
Challenge your students to make three-dimensional paper Christmas ornaments with a STEM challenge.
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A Map of Our School - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a map-making project for first and second grade.
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Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.
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Assembly Line Production - STEM Project
Engage your students in learning about the U.S. assembly line process with an exciting project-based task.
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Thanksgiving Project - Plan a Parade!
Plan, design, and create a Thanksgiving Parade with a fun Thanksgiving project!
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Christmas STEM Project - Elf Trap
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with an engaging Elf Trap Project!
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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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Thanksgiving STEM Project — Thanksgiving Turkey Trap
Explore hands-on STEAM concepts with a Thanksgiving Turkey Trap STEM project for elementary students.
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Mapping Our Classroom - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a classroom mapping project.
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Landform Diorama Project
Create and display a diorama of a landform with our landform project planning and creation templates.
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All About Me Time Capsule
Build a self-portrait time capsule as a fun first day of school activity!
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Build a Crayon Box – STEM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
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Goods and Services Advertisement Project
Engage your learners with an end-of-unit Goods and Services project.
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Back to School STEM Challenges – Grades 4-6
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a name badge, cantilever, and school mascot.
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Me on the Map - City Map Project
Engage young learners in developing their map skills with a design-your-own map project.
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Differentiated Geographic Location Project-Primary and Upper Elementary
Uncover how geographic location affects the culture, customs, clothing, food, and overall lifestyle of humans with a differentiated research project.
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Back to School STEM Challenge Cards – Primary
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a picture frame, name tag, and pencil cup.
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Leprechaun Trap STEM Activity
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this St. Patrick's Day-themed leprechaun craft activity.
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Cinderella's Design Challenge
A STEM style challenge themed around the fairy tale Cinderella.
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A Visual Story of ME! - Timeline Template
Apply knowledge of chronological order while students create a personal timeline highlighting important milestones.
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Magnet Experiment – Magnetic Flux Lines
Use this engaging magnet experiment when teaching your students about magnetic fields and their effect on magnetic objects.
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Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
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Flood Safety Poster Activity
An activity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the impact of floods.
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Observing Conduction Science Experiment
Teach students to make predictions about and observe thermal energy transfer through this conduction experiment.
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Kinetic and Potential Energy: Pendulum Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about kinetic and potential energy and work.
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Density Column Science Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about density.
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A New Beginning – Island Economy Activity
An activity where students work together to create an economy on a deserted island.
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Balloon Car Experiment – Speed Racer
Use this hands-on balloon car experiment when teaching your 5th grade students about thrust force and its effect on the speed of objects.
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Science Experiment - States of Matter
A science experiment that investigates how a substance's state of matter can be changed.