A Content Analysis of Inquiry in Elementary Students’ English Language Arts Research Units

Inquiry-based learning in ELA engages students in complex conceptual understanding through observation, interesting, thought-provoking questions, and investigations of evidence for deeper understandings. Despite the positive aspects of inquiry learning, studies found that teachers rarely implement inquiry. One reason might be that the literacy curricula doesn’t emphasize inquiry practices. Thus, this study used content analysis of inquiry practices in a commonly used ELA curriculum in the fourth grade in a Midwest state. Results revealed that some of the inquiry processes were evident through each lesson, but few lessons were designed to reflect the inquiry process.