Friday, February 17, 2012

Collecting and Modeling Wonders #2


 As the students shared their wonder index cards that they saved for a whole week, we had a great discussion about their wonders.  Conversations that I never considered, I knew we would discuss the why it was important? But I never thought about how most of their wonders connected with a previous lesson they had learned about in school and just wanted to learn more.  Some of the students wondered about questions that their siblings had asked them which was exciting because of the home school connection.  In addition, a few students said they never had the chance to just wonder about something they cared about. Isn't that what wondering is all about?


Fast forward to today, I created my own WONDER in a keynote and had this on the screen when they came back in from lunch.  I said nothing and there was a hush in the room. Finally one student said, "Why isn't the Wonder of the Day up Mrs. Caplin?" I still said nothing, Finally one student said, "Maybe this is what Mrs. Caplin wonders about?" YAHOO! Could you hear me screaming in Montana, Jon?  They got it.  


We looked at my wonder, and we discussed how my WONDER is similar to Wonderopolis and now they have a digital mentor text to begin to think about their own wonder.The light bulb represents an exciting NEW fact that I was surprised to learning. Did you know that a panda has an extra thumb to help hold bamboo?  I didn't know that. The text in the middle on the bottom has a link to the Kids Video National Geographic website. After sharing my wonder, many of the students were ready to start on their own wonder. Can't wait until next Wed. to see what they learn about stars, languages, weather, lemurs, and possibly the most interesting one:  Why isn't the letter "e" part of the grading scale? Do you know-me neither!


5 comments:

  1. My students are working through a similar process now but we based wonderings off of things we know a "little" about...moving from known information to new information. Ours range from Cedar Point to comparing guitar styles. We are using a picture book format but many students are designing their pages like Wonderopolis or a favorite non-fiction book. Oh the places their minds will go! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for your comment Tracy-sound like we are both on the same thought pattern. I love the picture book idea-you gave me something to ponder.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So that's what that noise was! That's so awesome Maria.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maria,
    With the emphasis on nonfiction in Common Core it is inspiring to see engaging and purposeful mentors for young writers. I look forward to seeing where envisioning these possibilities leads your students.
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for your comments:
    Jon: I am thrilled you heard me in Montana :)
    Cathy: I am excited to see where their wondering leads them since I am connecting this w/ my research indicators.

    ReplyDelete