At the obelisk, they copy historical information from a brass plaque, take photos of the four sides, and note the patterns of weathering by the faded carvings. The following day in school, students write a reaction to their trip. This reaction piece constitutes the first entry in a Central Park Research Log, in which students will keep future research information, as well as write periodic reactions to the inquiry process and to their individual progress toward the Central Park Project's goal. After writing their reactions, students generate a class list of observations made at both sites, and inferences explaining the possible geologic processes responsible for the weathering and grooves they saw. From this list, the class collectively writes one investigation question for each site, designed to encompass and direct students' individual research.
Students choose one question to pursue for the next five and a half weeks.
Collect information from books, magazines, etc. to help us answer our Big Question. Collect more information from our place in the Park. See if our original inference is correct.