Using Inquiry to Teach the Common Core State Standards: Two Exemplars

Abstract

This curriculum project offers two inquiry-based lessons for secondary mathematics teachers. One lesson is a culminating scavenger hunt for systems of linear equations. This lesson incorporates five principles of instruction and four levels of inquiry: confirmation inquiry, structured inquiry, guided inquiry, and open inquiry. The second lesson is an interdisciplinary lesson that involves students modeling bacteria growth with mathematical equations (regressions). This lesson integrates five essential strategies of implementing the Common Core State Standards through inquiry. The author classifies this lesson as a guided inquiry activity. Both lessons are aligned to the Algebra I Common Core State Standards (CCSS), but the concepts in both lessons are standard mathematical skills students will need regardless of the standards.