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#38 March 2025 Teaching Toolkit: Inquiry, Innovation & Impact

 March 2025 Teaching Toolkit: Inquiry, Innovation & Impact

Curated by Asheka Tenzin

Welcome Letter

Dear Educators,

Welcome to the March 2025 Teaching Toolkit! This month, our focus has been on building inquiry-based classrooms, boosting feedback practices, and empowering student voice through innovative strategies. Whether you followed the weekly LinkedIn posts or are just joining us, this toolkit is your one-stop guide to tried-and-tested ideas that can spark curiosity and deepen learning.

Let this be a practical guide to help you plan, experiment, and reflect. Try at least one new idea this month—and don’t forget to share your experiences in our community!

With purpose and gratitude,
Asheka

Strategy Card #1: The Power of Inquiry in MYP Teaching

Summary:
Inquiry is more than asking questions. It’s about designing opportunities for learners to explore, investigate, and construct understanding.

Why It Works:

  • Encourages curiosity

  • Builds ATL skills

  • Makes learning meaningful and transferable

Try This:

  • Start a unit with a "What if..." question

  • Use a Wonder Wall in your classroom

  • Use Socratic Seminars or Question Formulation Techniques

Reflect:

  • How do I ensure students generate questions?

  • When do I give space for student-driven exploration?

Link: MYP Digital Scavenger Hunt

Strategy Card #2: Learning Menu

Summary:
A choice-based task board that includes essential learning outcomes and extension opportunities.

Structure:

  • Appetizer: Warm-up task

  • Main Course: Core learning activity

  • Dessert: Optional challenge or creative task

Why It Works:

  • Promotes student agency

  • Differentiates instruction

  • Supports multiple learning styles

Try This:

  • Create a menu for your next Science, English, or Humanities lesson

Reflect:

  • How are students making choices in my class?

Strategy Card #3: TAG Feedback

Summary:
TAG = Tell, Ask, Give. A quick, structured peer and teacher feedback tool.

Format:

  • Tell something positive

  • Ask a question to provoke thinking

  • Give a suggestion for improvement

Why It Works:

  • Clear and actionable

  • Encourages growth mindset

Try This:

  • Use during peer reviews or after presentations

Reflect:

  • Do students know how to give feedback that helps peers grow?

Strategy Card #4: Innovative Teaching Practices

Examples to Try:

  • Virtual Field Trips

  • Genius Hour Projects

  • Silent Debates (in Google Docs or class posters)

  • Gamified Learning using Kahoot or digital escape rooms

Why It Works:

  • Builds engagement

  • Taps into creativity

Reflect:

  • What is one innovation I can try next week?

Mentorship Moment

Reflect on someone who has guided you this year. What did they say or do that stuck with you?

Try This:

  • Send a thank-you note or shoutout

  • Pass forward one piece of wisdom you received

Templates Section

  1. TAG Feedback Form
    | Tell | Ask | Give |
    |------|------|------|

  2. Learning Menu Template

    Topic: ____________________________
     Objective: ____________________________

    🥗 Appetizer (Starter Activity)

    Warm-up or review task to activate prior knowledge.

    👉 Example:

    • Watch a short video and write 3 key takeaways

    • Match vocabulary words with definitions

    • Complete a KWL chart (What I Know, What I Want to Know, What I Learned)

    ✏️ Your Task:

    🍝 Main Course (Essential Learning Tasks)

    Core activities aligned to the learning objectives. Choose 1–2 tasks from this section.

    👉 Examples:

    • Create a mind map

    • Solve a set of problems

    • Write a paragraph or report

    • Conduct a mini-experiment

    ✏️ Choices:

    🍰 Dessert (Extension or Challenge Task)

    Optional creative task for early finishers or deeper learning.

    👉 Examples:

    • Design an infographic or poster

    • Write a reflection or summary

    • Connect today’s topic to real-world applications

    ✏️ Your Task (optional):

    ✅ Reflection (Post-Activity)

    • What did I learn today?

    • Which task helped me learn best?

    • One thing I’m still wondering about:

  3. Inquiry Prompts List

  • What if...?

  • How might we...?

  • Why does this matter?

March Challenge Recap

Goal: Try one new strategy and reflect.

My Action Step: __________________________
What worked: __________________________
What I’d do differently: __________________________

Stay Connected:
Let us know what you tried! Share your reflections in our WhatsApp community or tag me on LinkedIn. Let’s grow together.

@Asheka Tenzin | Certified Trainer| Academic Mentor | IB Educator

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