Inquiry Strategies
for the Journey North Teacher

Asking, "How Do We Know What
We Know?"

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Identifying Sources of Evidence

As students try to develop hypotheses or explanations, or draw conclusions about an aspect of a Journey North study, ask them to categorize the different types or sources of information that help them make their judgments. They can also apply this same exercise when they review Journey North scientists' research. Use these categories (when they apply):

  1. What did we observe?
  2. What did the data "tell" us?
  3. What did we already know from experience?
  4. What information did we get from Journey North or find through research?
Ask the class to note and discuss the contributions that different information sources make to their emerging theories (or to those of scientists).