Using guided inquiry to improve process skills and content knowledge in primary science

Abstract

This action research project was developed to describe and identify how student process skill development can increase the content knowledge of second grade students in the science content area of living and non-living things. Students participated in a ten-week study that used the inquiry model of instruction to teach science content relating to plants and animal features, lifecycles and characteristics of living things. The findings showed an increase in content knowledge of students and development of process skills of observation, questioning and communicating.