Research On The Design And Application Of Inquiry Learning In Math Of Upper Elementary Grades

At present,educational reform basically regards the development of students as its foundation.It not only focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills,but also focuses on cultivating students’ skills on independent development,cooperation and innovation,so that students can become a "complete man" with comprehensive qualities.In reality,some elementary school teachers pay insufficient attention to the development of students’ abilities.They still adopt the traditional teaching methods,focusing on imparting knowledge while ignoring cultivating abilities.In this way,the students are engaged in passive learning.Inquiry learning takes place under the guidance of teachers.It is a way for students to explore problems and acquire new knowledge in an active manner in situations created by the teacher.By participating in inquiry activities,students can gain knowledge and skills autonomously,develop exploring spirits,cultivate innovative abilities and enhance their comprehensive qualities.Inquiry learning can make up for the deficiencies of traditional teaching methods and play an active role in promoting the comprehensive qualities of students.Therefore,the research on how to apply Inquiry learning method to elementary mathematics teaching is of great value.The main purpose of this study is to construct a series of Inquiry learning processes that are suitable for the teaching of mathematics in upper elementary grades,so as to enrich the theory of Inquiry learning of mathematics in elementary schools,optimize mathematics teaching and provide reference for future in-depth research of Inquiry learning.This article mainly adopts the literature research method,the observation method,the interview method and the case analysis method.This research was conducted in four ways:(1)Through collecting,reading and summarizing related literature,we understood the current situation of Inquiry learning in elementary schools both in our country and abroad.By studying the fifth and sixth grade textbooks,we understood the main knowledge points and knowledge structures of fifth and sixth grade math,which prepared for the actual teaching practice.(2)This study classifies inquiry learning,and according to the characteristics of the development of thoughts among the upper grades elementary students as well as the characteristics of the subject itself,the study designed the basic processes of Inquiry learning method that are suitable for upper elementary grades math and applied it to actual teaching practice.(3)In the teaching stage,the Inquiry learning method has been applied to math classes for one year where new lessons were all taught using the method.We videotaped the teaching process in the classroom.Through classroom observation and watching the recorded videos,we sorted out,analyzed and reflected on the selected representative cases,modified the basic processes of applying inquiry-based method to upper elementary grades teaching,and eventually designed a series of processes that are more appropriate.We also summarized the types of Inquiry learning methods suitable for different subjects and put forward guiding principles and methods for teachers.(4)Through comparing students’ performance before and after the Inquiry learning method,performance observations and interviews conducted with students,it can be seen that using Inquiry learning method in the upper grades of elementary school is good for improving students’ math scores and developing students’ mathematical abilities,practical abilities and innovative abilities,which will help to improve students’ overall mathematical skills.Therefore,it is feasible to apply inquiry-based method in upper elementary grades and it should be popularized.The topic of this research comes from teaching practice,and put forward some suggestions for teaching,which is helpful to make up for the lack of theoretical inquiry and ignore practical operation.