Inquiry: Creating a Culture of Curiosity

Mónica Naranjo's profile photo
Instructor: Mónica Naranjo
This workshop is designed for elementary teachers who want to cultivate a culture of inquiry in their classrooms, and embed authentic, student-driven exploration into everyday teaching. Participants will explore the foundations of inquiry-based learning, develop powerful questioning techniques, learn to integrate inquiry across all subject areas, and create personalized action plans for implementation. By the end of this course, teachers will have practical strategies to transform their classrooms into spaces where curiosity thrives and students actively engage in meaningful exploration aligned with curriculum goals.

Course information

For teachers
Duration: 4 weeks
4 sessions
Live peer-to-peer learning

The methodology

Teachers will learn in small groups of 2-5 colleagues, meeting once a week for 4 weeks. Sessions are 1.5 hours and can be in-person or online.

Course syllabus

Session 1: Foundations of Inquiry

  • • Explore what inquiry truly means in an elementary classroom
  • • Examine the different types of inquiry and the role of student agency
  • • Create an environment that sparks curiosity and supports exploration

Session 2: Questioning and Thinking Routines

  • • Engage with powerful questioning techniques that guide students toward deeper understanding
  • • Learn how to use thinking routines to scaffold and sustain inquiry
  • • Practice visible thinking strategies that make student thinking explicit

Session 3: Inquiry in Everyday Teaching

  • • Move beyond inquiry as a stand-alone activity and integrate it seamlessly into daily lessons
  • • Learn how to plan engaging, inquiry-based experiences across all subjects
  • • Design inquiry experiences that align with curriculum goals and standards

Session 4: Refining Understanding and Moving Forward

  • • Engage in reflective activities to synthesize learning from the workshop
  • • Explore next steps for implementation in your specific classroom context
  • • Develop a personalized action plan to sustain an inquiry-rich culture

Instructor

Mónica Naranjo's profile photo

Mónica Naranjo

Specialist in international education, with extensive experience in implementing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs and leading teacher training. With over 20 years of experience in international school settings, she has supported school communities as a teacher, coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, and evaluator. Her approach focuses on developing student agency, fostering cultures of inquiry and critical thinking, and promoting concept-based, student-centered learning.

How it works

You will join a group of 2 to 5 colleagues, and as a group, you will meet 4 times, either in person or online, at a time you all agree on.

1

Join a circle

Organize your study group with colleagues. You'll have 3 days to "match," from January 2 to January 5.

2

Agree on a schedule

Decide the most convenient time for your sessions, online or in person.

3

Join and collaborate

When the session arrives, connect with your colleagues and complete the activities together.

All courses →

Select a period