Amidst the warm winter sunshine, minds blossomed. On December 11th, the School Management Department of the Xiehe Education Center organized, and SUIS Qingpu hosted, a unique Cross-Campus Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Event. The activity, integrated with the host Qingpu Campus’s “Continental Carnival” event, focused on the European culture segment. Through classroom demonstrations, thematic discussions, and workshops, it provided a platform for in-depth exchange and collaborative growth for inquiry-based program leaders and teachers from various Xiehe campuses.
The senior leadership team of the host SUIS Qingpu warmly received the participating teachers. They delivered speeches to welcome everyone and fully affirmed the significance of joint teaching and research among Chinese and foreign teachers from different campuses. It not only promotes resource sharing among various schools but also drives the improvement of the interdisciplinary teaching capabilities of Chinese and foreign teachers.
Event highlights: From classroom observation to thinking workshop
Building upon the school-wide “Intercontinental Carnival” program at SUIS Qingpu, this event spotlighted Europe, showcasing the impressive performances of Grade 2 and Grade 5 students in inquiry classrooms. The class not only integrated cultural awareness and geographical exploration, but also placing strong emphasis on stimulating students’ critical thinking and intercultural understanding within authentic contexts.
Class Demonstrations
The Chinese and Expat teachers from SUIS Qingpu presented two co-taught inquiry lessons, titled “European Landmarks” and “All about Belgium,” demonstrating how to advance deep inquiry through interdisciplinary integration.
Feedback and Exchange
Following the lessons, teachers from different campuses engaged in professional dialogue regarding lesson implementation, student engagement, and instructional design, sparking numerous teaching inspirations and practical strategies.
Campus Tour and Coordinators’ Meeting
During the midday break, participating teachers explored the campus culture of SUIS Qingpu on a guided tour. Subsequently, Inquiry Coordinators from each campus held a closed-door meeting for pragmatic discussions on curriculum co-development and resource integration and subsequent organization of cross-campus teaching and learning event, etc..
Core Session: Workshop on “Making Thinking Visible”
The afternoon’s featured workshop was led by IB Asia-Pacific Consultant, Narcy He. Focusing on the theme “Making Thinking Visible,” she guided teachers to deeply reflect on how to make students’ thinking processes “seen, understood, and deepened” through questioning, reflection, and visual thinking tools, all from an inquiry-driven perspective and supported by real-life, cross-disciplinary examples.
During the two-hour interactive session, she not only shared concrete strategies but also prompted teachers to reflect on how their own teaching practices influence student cognitive development.
Inquiry is a Continuous Journey of Collective Learning
“Inquiry is not only a learning approach for students but also a growth pathway for teachers,” stated the Cross-Campus Inquiry Project Coordinator of SUIS Education. This Open Day was not merely a teaching demonstration but a deep practice of collaborative professional development. Through observation, dialogue, and discussion, teachers from various campuses collectively built a more open and diverse network of teaching understanding and practice.
Conclusion: Let Thinking Truly Unfold in the Classroom
The beauty of education lies in witnessing the sprouting of every idea and accompanying each leap in thinking. The Xiehe Cross-Campus Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Event was not only a grand occasion for inter-school exchange but also a return to the heart of education—making learning authentic and thinking clearly visible.
We look forward to today’s exchanges transforming into rays of light in tomorrow’s classrooms, illuminating the inquiry journey for more SUIS students. Let education come alive through inquiry; let thinking reach farther because it is seen.