The Learning Spiral: Taking the Lead From How Young Children Learn

Authors

Martha Taylor Dever, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Childhood Education

Volume

75

Issue

1

Publication Date

1998

First Page

7

Last Page

11

Abstract

The questions at right, asked by 2nd-graders, launch a scientific inquiry about owls. As the 7-year-olds investigate stuffed owl specimens, they express their need to know. Some children continue to stroke the owls' feathers, touch a sharp claw, and ask questions about the mouth, while others immediately turn to printed materials to clarify their questions. This new experience with owls ignites the children's sense of wonder, and the intrinsically motivated scientific inquiry begins.

Comments

Publication made available electronically February 3, 2012.

Recommended Citation

Dever, M. T., & Hobbs, D. E. (1998). The Learning Spiral: Taking the Lead from How Children Learn. Childhood Education, 75(1), 7-11.