The resources below provide a framework for conceptualizing and developing your inquiry based approach. It is helpful to refer back to these resources as the inquiry process moves through the steps of the Spiral. These are also helpful as points of discussion and reference during staff meetings and colleague collaboration.
Resources
Spotlight
The Spiral Notebook for Student Changemakers (2023)
Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry: For Equity and Quality (2022)
The Decision Playbook (2019)
The Spiral Playbook (2017)
Drawing heavily from the Spiral of Inquiry and the Decision Framework, Joanna Macintosh provides a framework to address critical issues in secondary schools. Proceeds from book sales go directly to inquiring schools. Place an order here.
Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser expand on their previous work in this new book for school leadership teams. The book is written for those new or experienced with the Spirals of Inquiry. Order your book here!
Making thoughtful choices in a complex world. This resource is a great decision-making resource for teachers and leaders, as well as intermediate and secondary students. Order your print copy here or download here.
This handbook is a condensed, plain language version of Spirals of Inquiry, and depicts the work of many educators in BC and the Yukon. Proceeds from book sales go directly to inquiring schools. Order your copies here.
Spirals of Inquiry Resources
The Spiral Notebook for Student Changemakers (2023)
Drawing heavily from the Spiral of Inquiry and the Decision Framework, Joanna Macintosh provides a framework to address critical issues such as cyber-bullying, loneliness, and racism in secondary schools. This resource is designed for teachers and principals to use with their students. Proceeds from book sales go directly to inquiring schools. Please contact us to order.
Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry: For Equity and Quality (2022)
Now available! Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser expand on their previous work in this new book for school leadership teams. Book is written for those new or experienced with the Spirals of Inquiry.
The Spiral Playbook (2017)
This handbook is a condensed, plain language version of Spirals of Inquiry, and depicts the work of many educators in BC and the Yukon. Proceeds from book sales go directly to inquiring schools. To order copies, please contact us.
Spiral of Inquiry – A Quick Intro
In this short video clip, Judy Halbert introduces the Spirals of Inquiry phases.
The Spirals of Inquiry Podcast
The Spirals of Inquiry Podcast hosted by Elementary Educator and Network Leader, Ashley Aoki (SD 67 – Okanagan Skaha), features educational leaders across the globe sharing experiences and knowledge on implementing the Spirals of Inquiry framework. A place where networking and professional growth intersect.
NOIIE Learning Tour Study Guide
A resource designed for educators participating in NOIIE-sponsored learning tours—either in-person or virtual. The guide supports peer-to-peer professional inquiry rooted in curiosity, generosity, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Indigenous Inquiry & Resources
Nechako Lakes School District ICSEI Presentation (2021)
Leona Prince, Nechako Lakes (SD91) District Principal of Aboriginal Education, explains how the Spirals of Inquiry is a process-driven model which highly relates to the First Peoples Principles of Learning and Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives.
Spiral of Inquiry (2020)
Check out this video demonstrating the accomplishments that BC School Districts and NOIIE are seeing, around increasing Indigenous participation and success in schools around the province
Spirals of Inquiry (2019)
Check out this video demonstrating the accomplishments that BC School Districts and NOIIE are seeing, around increasing Indigenous participation and success in schools around the province
Lifting All Learners: An Impact Assessment of the Aboriginal Enhancement Schools Network (AESN), 2013
This report identifies effective practices of the network and assesses the impacts on students, teachers, principals, vice principals, and communities across British Columbia.
Continuing Our Learning Journey: Indigenous Education in British Columbia – Module 1
This introductory video, posted by the Province of BC, provides an overview of Indigenous
education in BC and explores challenging common assumptions about Indigenous learners.
Spirals in Action
Sands Secondary School, Delta School District (2021)
In this video, Joanna Macintosh and students from three service learning inquiries share their learning and experiences around utilizing the Spiral of Inquiry framework within student leadership projects to create positive change in their school. Inquiry topics include creating a peer to peer mentorship program to tackle negative social media experiences, antiracism and mental wellness.
Headlands School, UK, Radio Interview
Listen to a Year 9 student, Mackenzie, and Mrs. Evans from Headlands School chat with Judy and Linda about the Spiral of Inquiry.
Yukon Education
Betty Burns (Yukon Primary Curriculum Consultant), Jesse Jewell (Yukon Experiential Curriculum Consultant), and George Bahm (Yukon First Nations Advisor), facilitated and engaged K-3 teachers in a place-based learning network with the goal of inspiring and equipping teachers to make a meaningful difference for their leaners using the Spiral of Inquiry.
Yukon Education
Amber Harper and Michelle Gillard, teachers at Christ the King Elementary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, along with Yukon Education Learning Network Participants, used the Spiral of Inquiry to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students by exploring the importance of developing a sense of place.
Yukon Education
Nicole Cross and Camille Luks are teachers at Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon. They used the Spiral of Inquiry to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students by teaching about diversity and supporting inclusion, through designing support for all learners using a Multiple Experts Model.
Professional Learning Resources
Self-Regulated Learning: An Empowering Approach to Teaching and Learning
An invaluable resource showcasing recent research done by an international group of SRL researchers. This resource is a space for educators to learn about SRL, share tools and resources, and work through ideas and challenges to support students to develop as self-regulating learners.
Adaptive Expertise and the Spiral of Inquiry
Professor Emeritus Helen Timperley’s powerpoint presentation on how collaborative inquiry, utilizing the Spirals approach, is a key way to develop adaptive expertise and to address complex challenges.
Delta School District’s Culture of Collaborative Professional Inquiry
Brooke Moore and the team in Delta have been using short videos for the past few years to tell the stories of individual school inquiries.
Delta Learns “Powerful Learning” Website
This site was created by Delta School-based Educators and Learning Services Staff, and is full of resources on classroom practices and strategies grounded in First Peoples Principles of Learning, woven together with a universal, inclusive approach. The landing pages are organized by assessment for learning principles, and topics include: Relationships, Learning Targets, Success Criteria, Evidence of Learning, Feedback, and so much more!