III Modeling Phases

Level III of the Framework has Modeling Phases, at a smaller grain size than the Classroom Modes. These are:

• Identifying a Pattern to be Explained by a Model
• Generating an Initial Model
• Evaluating the Model
• Modifying the Model

Sometimes a phase can last for more than one class session, but typically discussion will move back and forth between phases within a class session.

We can use the first letter of each phase to show how they can form different sequences. For example, when Setting the Stage and then Improving a Model (see Core of This Approach), they might form the sequence:

I G E M E M E M, etc.

Teachers can scaffold discussion by asking questions that fit each phase.

As we will see, different patterns of these Level III phases can be used within different Level IV modes.