Inquiry Phase: Construct

At the beginning of the Construct Phase, a student may ask:

• Have any main ideas emerged from the research?
• Did I find enough evidence to form an opinion or support my thesis?
• What organizational patterns or tools will help me make sense of my information?

INDICATORS

• Clarifies main and supporting ideas.
• Connects ideas across texts.
• Uses organizational strategies to make sense of information.
• Makes sense of information by using appropriate thinking strategies.
• Compares new ideas to what was already known.
• Tests statement of purpose and thesis statement or hypothesis.
• Draws conclusions.

Before moving to the Express Phase, a student may ask:

• Have I drawn conclusions that are supported by the evidence?
• Have I organized my conclusions and evidence to present them effectively?

AASL Standards for the 21^st Century Learner

·          STANDARD 1: Learners use skills, resources, & tools to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

Skills

o    1.1.7 Make sense of information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, main and supporting ideas, conflicting information, and point of view or bias

o    1.1.9 Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.

·          STANDARD 2: Learners use skills, resources, & tools to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations and create new knowledge.

Skills

o    2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.

o    2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems.

Dispositions in Action

o    2.2.2 Use both divergent and convergent thinking to formulate alternative conclusions and test them against the evidence.

o    2.2.3 Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.

Responsibilities

o    2.3.2 Consider diverse and global perspectives in drawing conclusions.

Self-Assessment Strategies

o    2.4.3 Recognize new knowledge and understanding. 

·          STANDARD 4: Learners use skills, resources, & tools to pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

Skills

o    4.1.6 Organize personal knowledge in a way that can be called upon easily.