Inquiry with Rebecca Bathurst Hunt

This zoom meeting with Rebecca was so lovely and inspiring. She discussed how she teaches her kindergarten classroom with a focus on provocations, inquiry mindsets, and even showed us how she supports this throughout her classroom design! When I first thought about implementing inquiry within a kindergarten classroom, I had many questions about the logistics of its implementation. Since listening to Rebecca discuss her strategies, reasons, and experiences, I understand how and why she does this. Near the beginning of her lecture, she brought up the topic of the “educator heart”, sharing a few points of what makes up her own education heart. She shared that she is passionate about finding ways to build off learners’ curiosities and wonders. Through an inquiry-based, play-based approach, Rebecca empowers learners to explore, research and share their own passions. Furthermore, she discussed how putting building relationships with her students is the first and foremost strategy to implementing learning through curiosity at a young age.

When I think about my own educator heart, and things that I will incorporate into my pedagogy, the first is to build relationships and to accept all children for being themselves. Secondly, I stand beside play-based learning, although I wonder more about this as I find that the teacher must know how to remain structured throughout the play to avoid chaos, and as a young teacher, I may not have all the classroom management skills. Not to say it is not worth the shot! It will simply take time to learn how implementing play-based learning will work for my students and me as well.

During the zoom, Rebecca was kind enough to let us in on an inside scoop of her classroom set-up. I personally really enjoy her classroom and find it to be conducive to her teaching style. The many areas for play, learning, and regulating allow space for all types of learners. I was looking into some pros and cons for a classroom set-up, just as all of us young teachers do as we dream about the day we can decorate our own classrooms. I really enjoy how her class is not too stimulating, and how the decor grows with the students over the course of the year. When Rebecca was discussing this idea, she shared the importance of students seeing their interests within the classroom to promote a more welcoming environment. This idea circles back to building relationships and learning what the students like and how to get them engaged in their learning.

The three questions that promote inquiry within the class are:

I see…

I know…

I wonder…

These questions are super simple, yet super effective in guiding students to research their wonders. I was really impressed with Rebecca and I have been looking into getting her bok to learn more.

To end this reflection, I would like to link some of the things that Rebecca shared with us. I also highly recommend checking out her Instagram for some aesthetically pleasing teacher classroom designs and activities.

Instagram : @inquiryteacher