Extracting learners' questions in the science learning process : The inquiry process and learners questions in elementary school science textbooks

In order to clarify how learners' questions are handled in the learning process that emphasizes inquiry, I focused on descriptions of learners' utterances in elementary school science textbooks, which serve as models for learning process. The content of the utterances corresponding to the questions and their relationship to the learning content and learning process were analyzed. As a result of study, it was found that questions were presented at various stages in the textbook learning process. In particular, questions were often presented in a process intended to lead to the next problem. The children's questions were developed into problems, hypotheses, plans for observation and experiment methods, and considerations, creating continuity in their learning. The objective of next study is to investigate the interaction between learners and teacher through the analysis of classroom practice and learners' questions.