Inquiry-based Learning and the Silverbow Bakery: What I Have Learned

Inquiry-based learning is being used in classrooms across our nation to encourage students to not only ask questions, but also to find the answers for these questions. Inquiry-based learning is a model of teaching that allows students to study, learn, and research a particular topic through inquiry and hands-on learning. Inquiry-based learning is question-driven and dares students to wonder and discover about the world around them. Many times this type of learning involves developing questions to be answered about a topic, researching through hands-on experiences, and creating an output of what was discovered. As a new teacher, I decided I wanted to subject myself to the inquiry-based learning process to see the pros and cons of the inquiry-based learning model firsthand. I also wanted to walk in the shoes of my students so I could see how it is for them to use inquiry-based learning.

Developing questions:

In preparing for a topic for my inquiry-based project, I visited several locations in Juneau, Alaska to find a place of interest. While walking downtown, I instantly found something of interest-The Silverbow Bakery. I had eaten there several times and always found the building quite interesting and unique. As a bonus, I always thought it was a great place since they offered a cinema that showcases independent movies. Having owned a coffee shop, I found myself interested in finding out more information about not only the family who started the business, but also how the building had changed over the years.

My original questions were as follows: Who were the original owners? What is their story? Why did they choose Juneau, AK? What was it like starting a business in Alaska at that time? How many owners have operated the business since it opened? Has it always been in operation since it was established? What was on the menu compared to today's menu? What is the history of the building? How has the architecture/design changed over the years?

I began with several questions because I wanted to have as many questions as possible when I had the opportunity to do my research. I quickly found that as I began the research, many new questions began to come to my mind. This was especially the case when I was at the State Library reading original documents. I decided that I needed to focus on two questions in order to have a centered piece of work. They are as follows: Who were the original owners of the building and how did they arrive in Juneau? What is the history of the building?

By focusing on a few questions, I was better able to conduct research in order to create a project that had an underlying theme. I decided to call my project "Every Place Has a Story" since my focus was on a building that connects stories from the past and the present. Because I wanted to provide a basic description and introduction of the building to the audience of my project, I began by discussing the story of the present Silverbow Bakery and how it is a part of the community of Juneau. I transitioned into the previous history of the building, and then concluded the project by returning to the present.

Hands-on Learning

To research this project, I spent time at the Silverbow Bakery interviewing the current owner, as well as talking with some of her employees. They allowed me to tour the kitchen and take photos throughout the building. I was fortunate enough to be able to look through several albums filled with photographs of the bakery since the time that they purchased it. The owner also had several historical photographs of the family who originally built the building. To find out more about this family, I conducted research at the local State Library. There I was able to view land surveys, find dates, read newspaper articles from the 1890's to the present, and view historical photographs of the family.

Through research, I learned that the original owner, Gustav Messerschmidt, immigrated to the United States from Germany where he learned the bakery trade in San Francisco. He moved to Juneau to work for a baker since business was booming in Juneau, but quickly opened his own bakery. He married his wife soon after-a clerk working in his bakery who had immigrated to the United States from Germany as well. I learned that the bakery was first called the San Francisco Bakery, and then changed names to the Purity Bakery in the 1940's. The bakery was passed down through the family until the 1980's when it was sold to Jill Ramiel and her then fiancé Ken Harper. At this time, they did many renovations to the building and currently operate it as a bakery, cinema, and bed and breakfast. Although the name has changed, Silverbow is considered the oldest bakery in Alaska, and the first bakery to make traditional bagels.

Product

As I was developing my inquiry-based learning project, I wanted to create a project that could be used for a young and adult audience. I wanted it to feel like an old silent movie, while feeling like a children's' information book. I took the research that I gathered including pictures of original documents and photographs and created a movie with the stills. I added captions and music to create a product that I was able to share with peers, family, and my students.

What I learned about Inquiry-based learning

Inquiry-based learning is interesting, exciting, and much more relevant than simply reading about something in a book or on a website. It was meaningful to be able to look at actual photos and see the faces of the people who originally immigrated to Alaska to open the bakery. By doing inquiry-based learning, I now realize the importance of allowing children to choose a topic that is of interest to them. This provides a motivation and interest to find out more about a topic that they find meaningful. Also, I learned that it is important to establish some type of focus throughout the inquiry-based research of the project since it can be difficult deciding on which essential questions to make the focus. I found that I was chasing a lot of side topics at first, and had to establish my perimeters for the research. Therefore, a time line is an important aspect to keep everything on schedule since it is so easy to get sidetracked by all of the other interesting material not related to the essential questions. Doing an inquiry-based learning project taught me the value of using a variety of inquiry processes other than books and the internet. This gives opportunities to interact with people in the community and have access to actual historical documents. I found the historical photographs, land surveys, and newspapers absolutely fascinating and only wish I had had more time to read side articles. Although time consuming, inquiry-based learning is well worth the time and effort spent doing it because it makes learning much more hands-on and relevant. After doing this project, I feel a sense of attachment to the Silverbow Bakery and truly appreciate the story behind this business in the community of Juneau.

Resources:

http://www.edutopia.org/inquiry-project-learning-research

http://www.silverbowinn.com/