Engaging students academically begins with sparking their natural curiosity! The first stage of the inquiry process—Invite—is all about drawing students into a topic in a way that excites their sense of wonder and encourages them to ask questions. Instead of diving straight into instruction, educators can start with an intriguing prompt, an unexpected scenario, or an engaging hands-on experience that invites exploration.

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For example, imagine a science lesson on ecosystems. Instead of simply introducing vocabulary or showing a diagram, the teacher could place a sealed, self-sustaining terrarium in the center of the classroom. Without explanation, students are invited to observe, wonder, and discuss:

• How does this closed system stay alive?
• What’s happening inside?
• What do the plants and organisms need to survive?

By allowing students to generate their own questions first, they become naturally invested in uncovering answers, leading to a deeper and more meaningful learning experience.

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This Invite stage can be applied across subjects—whether it’s analyzing a mysterious historical artifact before a social studies unit, listening to a piece of music before discussing poetry and mood in language arts, or presenting a real-world challenge before a math lesson. When students feel intrigued, they become active participants in their own learning journey, making every lesson an adventure in discovery!