Cool Water Campaign Journal
The final stage of this interdisciplinary Y6 inquiry - planning persuasive campaigns. Delivered through English and ICT. Forum discussion here. Editable version to follow (needs compression).
Cool Water Central Inquiry Journal
The spine of this Y6 interdisciplinary inquiry used in English lessons to support the work being done in Science. Forum discussion here. Editable version to follow (needs compression).
Cool Water Poetry Prompts [Updated 2024]
This poetry resource was used in English lessons to tie this interdisciplinary inquiry into a poetry unit in English. These reseources are discussed in this forum topic.
Cool Water inquiry – Art & DT
Art & DT part of an interdisciplinary inquiry on heat transfer spanning Science, English, Art & Design, Maths and ICT. Part of journey towards Bronze CREST award for Y6, but would also work for Y7. If not using for CREST award, remove CREST logo. Full discussion in this forum topic.
Cool Water Inquiry – Science [Updated 2024]
Science part of an interdisciplinary inquiry on heat transfer spanning Science, English, Art & Design, Maths and ICT. Part of journey towards Bronze CREST award for Y6, but would also work for Y7. If not using for CREST award, remove CREST logo. Full discussion in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum topic Year 6 (Grade 5) Interdisciplinary Signature Work Inquiry @ Blanchelande College.
Y8 Maths Universal Language inquiry (inquiry guide)
A PPT guide to the Y8 Maths inquiry "Is Maths a universal language?" intended to be used by the instructor to guide the students through the inquiry (originally six forty minute lessons). Print resources for students can be accessed in the linked resource Y8 Maths Universal Language inquiry (graphic organisers). See discussion in this forum topic.
Y8 Maths Universal Language inquiry (graphic organisers)
Graphic organisers from the Year 8 Maths inquiry "Is Maths a universal language?". Intended to be used with Y8 Maths Universal language inquiry (inquiry guide) and designed to run over six forty minute lessons. See discussion in this forum topic.
Y7 Maths Fibonacci inquiry (inquiry guide)
A PPT guide to the Y7 Maths inquiry "Can Maths help me get better at Art?" intended to be used by the instructor to guide the students through the inquiry (originally six forty minute lessons). Print resources for students can be accessed in the linked resource Y7 Maths Fibonacci inquiry (graphic organisers). See discussion in this forum topic.
Y7 Maths Fibonacci inquiry (graphic organisers)
Graphic organisers from the Year 7 Maths inquiry "Can Maths help me get better at Art?" exploring the Fibonacci sequence. Intended to be used with Y7 Maths Fibonacci inquiry (inquiry guide) and designed to run over six forty minute lessons. See discussion in this forum topic.
Developing Researcher REACTionS
An exploration of research (which is a key component of inquiry undertaken during the Investigate stage) based on Barbara Stripling's REACTS taxonomy. Explores age appropriate researcher skill levels and actions, stimulus words for inquiry design and suggested sample assignments by skill level. Discussion in this forum topic.
Romeo and Juliet Inquiry Journal
A full inquiry for Year 10 GCSE English entitled "What is the greatest modern film or stage production of (or based on) ‘Romeo and Juliet’?" designed to be run over 6x35minute lessons plus homework (not including presentation time at the end).
Presentation and poster design
Advice on planning posters and PowerPoint presentations in groups, designed for a Year 6 interdisciplinary inquiry but applicable for a wide range of age groups. Full discussion in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum topic Year 6 (Grade 5) Interdisciplinary Signature Work Inquiry @ Blanchelande College.
Investigative Journal (Persuasive Speech)
A portrait style investigative journal (similar to a Cornell note taking sheet) designed for Y7 English students gathering material for a persuasive speech.
FOSIL Cycle (Primary / PK-6 version)
A simplified version of the FOSIL Inquiry Cycle for use with younger students. While the descriptions of the stages have been simplified, the wording accurately describes the learning process (see FOSIL Cycle for a detailed description of the stages involved in this learning process - note that each circle on that page is a hyperlink to further information).
Masks and Masquerade
Year 8 inquiry run over 4 lessons to support an English topic on Much Ado About Nothing. Full discussion in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum topic Year 8 English Inquiry into Masquerade.
Inquiry as stance and process
Questions energize, deepen, and personalize the inquiry process, and this resource identifies typical questions at the start and end of each stage in the process. This resource may also be used in planning for an inquiry, and / or to guide students through an inquiry.
FOSIL (2019) inquiry skills framework
A deep re-imagining of the 2009 PK-12 (age 4-18) Framework Of Skills for Inquiry Learning ordered by grade, inquiry stage and skill set, with priority skills cross-referenced to ESIFC graphic organizers. **Now with embedded hyperlinks to the ESIFC graphic organizers**
Initial inquiry planning form
The initial planning stages are vital for a successful inquiry. This document facilitates collaboration by helping teachers and librarians to think through each stage of the inquiry together.
FOSIL Cycle skill sets (vertical)
This mind map shows the main skill sets for each stage of the FOSIL cycle laid out vertically. The full skills framework shows how these skill sets can be developed throughout a child's school life.
FOSIL Cycle skill sets
This mind map shows the main skill sets for each stage of the FOSIL cycle laid out in a circle. The full skills framework shows how these skill sets can be developed throughout a child's school life.
Scientifically Speaking
Year 7 inquiry into Science in the media, led by librarian with support from Science teachers over six 40 minute lessons. See Effecting Change forum topic "Delivering information literacy skills: a work in progress" for details.
Does Google know everything?
Individual graphic organisers from the Year 6 Computer Science inquiry assembled into a workbook. See forum topic Year 6 Computer Science Inquiry – Does Google know everything?
FOSIL template (landscape)
This is a template for creating new FOSIL resources in landscape format, with appropriate headers and footers. It also gives the RGB and Hex values for all the FOSIL colours. Please do share your new resources in the Forum - and with your permission we may also be able to upload some of them to this resources section.
FOSIL template (portrait)
This is a template for creating new FOSIL resources in portrait format, with appropriate headers and footers. It also gives the RGB and Hex values for all the FOSIL colours. Please do share your new resources in the Forum - and with your permission we may also be able to upload some of them to this resources section.
Joule Island
Designed to be used with the OUP "Spotlight Science 8" investigation into power generation for an isolated island (Joule Island), but not limited to this. 3 page resource, including a Construct sheet.
Nuclear power debate
To help Year 8 students gather their evidence and construct their understanding for a debate about nuclear power. Discussed in the Inquiry and resource design forum topic Preparing a debate... 2 page resource.
Modern vs Ancient Greek Olympics
Are the modern Olympics a worthy successor to the Ancient Greek Olympics? This resource to help Year 8 Classical Civilisation pupils construct their understanding of this question is discussed in the Inquiry and resource design forum topic Year 8 - Classical civilisation.
A2 Italian IRP resources
Support for A-level Italian students undertaking their Individual Research Project. Resources are in English, so may have wider application for other language coursework. Resource discussed in the Inquiry and Resource Design forum topic Year 13 Language and Literature coursework. 5 page resource - insert extra Investigative Journal pages as required.
Is Odysseus a hero?
Produced to support Year 8 Classical Civilisation classes gathering information from their text to decide whether Odyssues is an Ancient Greek hero or not. Download resource to see Construct and Express page. Discussed in the Inquiry and resource design forum topic Year 8 - Classical civilisation. 2 page resource.
Topic choice (HL essay)
Designed for to help IB DP Language and Literature students to choose a topic for their HL essays. Intended to be used before the resource Question choice (HL essay).
Question choice (HL essay)
Designed for the IB DP Language and Literature HL essay (in this case, German, but applicable to all languages) to help students to frame and choose a question. Intended to be used after the resource Topic choice (HL essay).
Constructing understanding (HL essay)
Designed to bridge the gap between investigation and essay planning, this resource is intended to be used with either of the two Essay Planner resources to help students to understand the main points they need to make in their essays before putting them into a logical order. Originally designed for IB DP German Language and Literature HL essay, but suited to any IB DP language and may have even broader application.
Essay planner (online)
A tool for helping students to organise their main points in an essay, once they have planned those points. Designed to be used with a resource such as Constructing Understanding (HL essay). Originally designed for the IB DP German HL essay, but with wide application beyond that. In this online version of this resource the 'sticky notes' can be moved around on screen. There is also a 'print' version, designed to be used with a common size of sticky note.
Essay planner (print)
A tool for helping students to organise their main points in an essay, once they have planned those points. Designed to be used with a resource such as Constructing Understanding (HL essay). Originally designed for the IB DP German HL essay, but with wide application beyond that. Boxes are sized to fit a common size of sticky note. There is also an online version of this resource, where 'sticky notes' can be moved around on screen.
Community Project Inquiry Journal (Yr 7)
Produced for a Year 7 MYP Community Project day, where pupils were encouraged to use the 'reset' provided by the coronavirus pandemic, alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to think of ways they could act locally to make a difference in their communities. Discussed in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum Topic, "Year 7 IB MYP Community Day/ Project".
Annotated bibliography
Designed to be used as a precursor to the Investigative Journal, this allows students to collect ideas about all the sources they have found in one place before delving more deeply into some using the Investigative Journal. Initially used in the Upper School, this resource has value across a range of subjects and year groups.
Science Fictional Writing Inquiry Journal 2019
This is the updated (December 2019) Journal, used as part of a Year 7 English Unit inspired by the novel Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick. This ambitious and successful team planned and taught 8 lesson Library-English Department collaboration is discussed in the forum topic "Year 7 English".
War and regression inquiry journal
A six week Year 9 History inquiry into WW1 - "Is war the ultimate cause of human regression?" - following a trip to the WW1 battlefields around the Somme. Discussed in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum Topic, Lions led by donkeys.
Pressure Groups Inquiry Journal 2020
The A-level Politics Pressure Groups Inquiry was substantially upgraded in 2020. See Pressure Groups Inquiry Topic in the Inquiry and Resource Design Forum for more details. Designed to be used in conjunction with a LibGuide (link in Forum).
Tourism Inquiry Journal (Year 9)
This Year 9 Geography inquiry has a strong focus on data collection and presentation, guiding students through selecting the right data collection tools and interpreting the evidence they gather in the light of their hypotheses.
General Glossary
A general glossary for students at any level to use to collect vocabulary during an inquiry.
Income and Wealth – key ideas
A summary sheet for the Year 12 A-Level Economics Inquiry into Income and Wealth, for students to use during their Spiderweb Discussion. More detail in the 'Year 12 Economics - Income and Wealth' topic in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum.
Investigative Journal (Income and Wealth)
An adapted Investigative Journal for the Year 12 A-Level Economics Inquiry into Income and Wealth, culminating in a Spiderweb Discussion. More detail in the 'Year 12 Economics -Income and Wealth' topic in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum.
Focusing Questions
A resource for tutors to use to help students working on their Year 9 Individual Projects to focus their ideas into suitable inquiry questions.
Spiderweb Discussion Rubric
Rubric used to both assess and self-assess Year 12 Economics Spiderweb Discussions. More detail in two 'Year 12 Economics' topics in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum ('The dismal science?' and 'Income and Wealth'). Adapted with permission from Alexis Wiggins, who retains copyright.
Paris Inquiry Individual Reflection
A Year 8 inquiry designed to use a mix of French and English language resources to investigate Paris as a tourist destination. This is students' final reflection sheet. More details in the 'Inquiry and MFL' topic in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum.
Paris Inquiry Peer Review
A Year 8 inquiry designed to use a mix of French and English language resources to investigate Paris as a tourist destination. This is a Peer-review sheet for the video 'guided tour'. More details in the 'Inquiry and MFL' topic in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum.
Paris Inquiry Journal
A Year 8 inquiry designed to use a mix of French and English language resources to investigate Paris as a tourist destination. Outcome was a video 'guided tour'. More details in the 'Inquiry and MFL' topic in the 'Inquiry and Resource Design' Forum.
Individual Project Inquiry Journal Part A
The first half of a two part inquiry journal used for our Year 9 individual project (where they can investigate anything they like as long as it relates to a debatable question). This resource helps them to Connect with their interests, Wonder about what they might investigate and record their Investigations.
Individual Project Inquiry Journal Part B
The second half of a two part inquiry journal used for our Year 9 individual project (where they can investigate anything they like as long as it relates to a debatable question). This resource helps them to Construct their argument, Express and peer-review it, and Reflect on the process.
Keyword Record
A resource to help students to focus their (internet and database) search strategies, and to make their searching process visible to make it easier to support them. Includes instructions on Boolean Searching.
Hidden Computers Inquiry Journal
Designed to support Year 7 pupils in their Computer Science Hardware Inquiry, this workbook is used in conjunction with a resource pack (not uploaded for copyright reasons) over a 5-6 week period to engage students with the underlying question "what is a computer?". Further discussion can be found in the Inquiry and Resource Design forum topic "Year 7 Computer Science Inquiry – Is my brain a computer?".
Economics is the dismal science – resource booklet
Used in conjunction with "Economics is the dismal science - key ideas" with Year 12 A-level Economics students preparing for a spiderweb discussion. See Forum "Year 12 Economics Inquiry - The dismal science?" for details. In the original the articles were reproduced in full under educational copyright, but this version cannot be shared online. Links to the articles have been provided where appropriate.
Economics is the dismal science – key ideas
Used in conjunction with "Economics is the dismal science - resource booklet". Year 12 A-level Economics students used this to summarize key ideas during an eight lesson teaching sequence in preparation for a spiderweb discussion. See Forum "Year 12 Economics Inquiry - The dismal science?" for details.
Politics Inquiry PEEL
Designed to be used as a follow-up to the linked resource: "Politics Exam Questions Inquiry". Print on A3. Having investigated a topic and proposed suitable exam questions, students each complete different parts of the same PEEL for a chosen essay question.
Politics Exam Questions Inquiry
A resource to support and engage students in making notes independently on new topics. Print on A3 double-sided, flip-on-short-edge. The linked resource "Politics Inquiry PEEL" may be used as a follow-up exercise where different students complete different parts of the PEEL for a chosen essay question.
Political Ideas Essay Wrap
An "Essay Wrap" originally designed to support students in planning Edexcel Political Ideas essays. Print on A3 double-sided, flip-on-short-edge. Students complete the sheet as part of the essay writing process and hand it in with the essay. See the "Essay Planners (A-Level Politics)" topic in the "Inquiry and Resource Design" forum for more details.
UK and Global Politics Essay Wrap
An "Essay Wrap" originally designed to support students in planning Edexcel UK and Global Politics essays. Print on A3 double-sided, flip-on-short-edge. Students complete the sheet as part of the essay writing process and hand it in with the essay. See the "Essay Planners (A-Level Politics)" topic in the "Inquiry and Resource Design" forum for more details.
Pressure Groups Inquiry Journal
Designed to be issued as a series of separate worksheets not a full journal (some printed on A3 as indicated), this bundle supports the A-Level Politics Pressure Groups inquiry. For more detail see the "Pressure groups inquiry (A-Level Politics)" topic in the "Inquiry and Resource Design" forum. Those sheets produced in Word not Publisher will also be posted separately in an editable format.
Why couldn’t they cure the Black Death? Inquiry Journal
A Year 7 History inquiry into why the Black Death could not be cured in the middle ages, considering social, religious and political factors as well as medical. For a full discussion see the topic "Year 7 History Inquiry – Medieval Medicine and The Black Death" in the "Inquiry and Resource Design" forum.
Supporting EPQs at Oakham
Used to guide EPQ students through the inquiry process.
Research Organiser (Group 4)
Intended for IB Extended Essay students in the Experimental Sciences, this resource was designed to help them to organise their thoughts after they had conducted the majority of their 'research' and before they started to write it up.
Research Organiser (Not Group 4)
Intended for IB Extended Essay students in all subjects except the Experimental Sciences, this resource was designed to help them to organise their thoughts after they had conducted the majority of their 'research' and before they started to write it up.
Research Proposal (IB DP)
Supports students in the early stages of they IB Extended Essay process as they begin to consider lines of inquiry in their chosen subject area. They would not expect to finalise their research question until later in the Investigate stage.
Supervisor Application Form (IB DP)
Supports students in the first stage of the IB Extended Essay process students, where they are selecting a topic area and applying for supervisor.
30 Mark Source Question (Politics, Edexcel)
A tool to help students approach 'source' questions for exams. The source should be pasted into the centre and the sheet printed on A3. See "Essay Planners (A-Level Politics)" forum topic.
What Do I Already Know?
A visual prompt for simple inquiries to encourage students to connect with what they already know. For older students or more complex inquiries a mind-map might be more useful.
Source Reference Labels
For printing on standard Avery labels to help students remember which bibliographic fields they need to record for an appropriate reference. Suitable for print and online resources.
Peer Marking Presentations
For students to use to peer-mark each other's presentations. It is designed to be relatively easy to use and encourage good presentation practices. Students should be able to refer to this in advance as they create their presentations.
Main Points From My Research
Helps younger students to organise their ideas and summarise the most important ideas from their investigation before they start to create their product (Express).
Investigative Journal (Years 12-13) Online
An Upper School investigative journal for use with online referencing tools such as those in Microsoft Word. Encourages students to think about how the source addresses their question and the quality of the source.
Investigative Journal (Years 9-11) Print
An investigative journal for older students to use when not using online referencing tools, to help them record appropriate bibliographic information and to engage with how the source addresses their question. Use one page per source.
Investigative Journal (Years 9-11) Online
An investigative Journal designed to be used with online citation and referencing tools such as those in Microsoft Word. Use one page per source. Encourages students to explain how a source addresses their question.
Investigative Journal (Years 6-8) Print
This first investigative journal encourages students to think about how the information they have gathered helps to answer their question. They should use one page per source and record all the bibliographic details at the top. Designed to be used when not using online referencing tools.
Identifying Questions (Years 9-11)
For use near the start of an inquiry to help students to decide what they actually need to find out. We use this version with Years 9-11.
How did I do?
A basic, generic resource to help Year 6-8 review their experience of the inquiry and set goals for next time.
How am I doing?
A basic pre-marking reflection for Years 6-8 to help them to improve their product before they hand it in, and to see whether the teacher agrees with their assessment of their own work.
Bibliography (Years 6-8)
For use in early inquiries to encourage students to record all the information they would need to use referencing tools, for example in Microsoft Word. For referencing in books, can use Source Reference Labels.
Identifying Questions (Years 6-8)
For use near the start of an inquiry to help students to decide what they actually need to find out. We use this version with Years 6-9.
Drawing Conclusions from Multiple Perspectives
Developed to be used in conjunction with "Facts vs Opinions" (originally for a Year 9 Climate Change Chemistry inquiry, but not a subject-specific resource), this helps students to understand where sources agree and disagree. See "Year 9 Chemistry" forum topic.
Climate Change Sources
Sources for Year 9 Climate Change Inquiry. Students need electronic access to this hyperlinked document. To be used in conjunction with "Facts vs Opinions", "Drawing Conclusions by looking at Multiple Perspectives" and "CRAAP Testing Rubric". See "Year 9 Chemistry" forum topic.
CRAAP Testing Presentation
This presentation for a Year 9 Climate Change inquiry goes through the CRAAP Testing process, encouraging students to look at the 'big picture' context of a website first. Works well as an interactive exercise, giving students a printout of the original Breitbart article to annotate and mini-whiteboards to give CRAAP Test scores. "CRAAP Test Sample" can be used as a follow-up handout. See "Year 9 Chemistry" forum topic.
CRAAP Test Sample
Produced for a Year 9 Climate Change inquiry, this resource was designed to make the process of CRAAP testing explicit. Works best in conjunction with "CRAAP Testing Presentation". See "Year 9 Chemistry" forum topic.
Science Fictional Writing Inquiry Journal
This Journal was used as part of a Year 7 English Unit inspired by the novel Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick. This ambitious and successful team planned and taught 8 lesson Library-English Department collaboration is discussed in the forum topic "Year 7 English".
Why Learn French? Paste
A backing sheet to help groups organise their reasons for learning French. Print on A3. To be used in conjunction with "Why Learn French? Cut Outs" and "Why Learn French? Inquiry Journal". See "Year 6 French" forum topic.
Why Learn French? cut outs
Cut outs to help groups of students rank their reasons for learning French. Print on A4. To be used in conjunction with "Why learn French? Paste" sheet and "Why Learn French? Inquiry Journal". See "Year 6 French" forum topic.
Why Learn French? Inquiry Journal
A Year 6 French Inquiry Journal in dual language. See "Year 6 French" forum topic.
20th Century History Inquiry Journal
Which decade of the 20th Century would have been the best decade to live through and why? The third of three History controlled inquiries in Year 6. See "Year 6 History" forum topic.
Alfred the Great Inquiry Journal
What was so great about Alfred the Great? Year 6's first encounter with a full inquiry. See "Year 6 History" forum topic.
Cold War Glossary
Glossary for Year 6 Inquiry (see "Year 6 History" forum topic). Glossaries are useful tools in the Investigate stage to help students to recognise, keep track of and begin to use subject specific language.
Cold War Inquiry Journal
What were the global effects of the Cold War? The second of three inquiry journals used in Yr 6 History, this features a more detailed Construct page and pre-marking and peer-review Reflect sheets. See "Year 6 History" forum topic.
CRAAP Testing Rubric
This website evaluation rubric encourages students to take a critical look at their sources. Has been used from Year 9 through to Year 12.
Facts vs Opinions
Developed for Year 9 pupils looking at the presentation of climate change in the media as part of GCSE Chemistry, to help them differentiate between statements of fact and opinions or predictions.
FOSIL (2009) inquiry skills framework
The framework of skills that underpins the Cycle. In dynamic relationship with curriculum development and inquiry design, an appropriate skills framework is vital for a coherent, whole-school approach to inquiry.
CREST Heat Transfer Inquiry Journal
CREST project workbook on Heat Transfer for Year 7 students.
FOSIL Cycle
The FOSIL cycle is at the heart of the FOSIL framework and underpins all we do.
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