Monday, June 3, 2013

Talk Topic 13: Bond Lake P.S.'s Wonder Journey


We are so pleased to share and celebrate all of the wondering that has been taking place at Bond Lake P.S. this Spring!

The educators who participated in our Book Study "A Place for Wonder" kindly allowed Mrs. Gervan and I to capture some photographs from their classrooms:










What do you see, think, or wonder?

Here is a video of our Wonder Journey:



Please leave any comments or questions below.  We look forward to sharing our learning at the Staff Meeting today!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Talk Topic 12: Reflections after having read the book.

Now that we have finished reading this w-o-n-d-e-r-ful professional resource, it's time to reflect!

This post will give us an opportunity to think about the learning from our book study with the following guiding questions:

What were some of the big ideas that you took away from the book "A Place for Wonder?"

How did you apply your new learning?

How has this learning impacted your teaching practice? 


Friday, May 24, 2013

Talk Topic 11: What are some examples of deep/intriguing student wonders?


We are wondering if we could create a list with examples of student wonders.  


Please add student wonders that you feel are deep and or intriguing to the comment section of this post. 

Here is an example:

"I wonder why I cannot see the wind" (Age 5)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Talk Topic 9: Where have your wonders lead to?


In our last session we completed an organizer about our classroom wonders to seek feedback from our colleagues.

Participants wrote about one specific wonder that they focused on and took to the next level within their program.  After receiving suggestions and advice from two others they were invited to reflect and plan their next steps.

A single "wonder" has the potential to lead into an entire inquiry.

What are your students wondering about?

What did you chose to focus on and where did these wonders lead to in your classroom?

Monday, May 6, 2013

Talk Topic 8: Nonfiction Research Wonder Writing


What did you learn from the first part of Chapter 3: Nonfiction Research Wonder Writing?  Were there any sections or quotes that stood out for you?

There was so much to extract, that I found I was sticky-noting each page!

Marguerite and I would love to read your thoughts...

Talk Topic 7: Wondering Outdoors

On Thursday, May 2nd 2013 we took our book study sessions outdoors.  There, we engaged in our own wondering excercise using Heard and MacDonough's template "My Wonders" (Appendix page 159).  This helped us to understand what it might feel like for our students.  Some educators found they had more wonders than they could write, while others mentioned they were surprised that it was a challenging task.  It was interesting to hear the different wonders.  For example, D.K. wondered why she could feel the wind but not see it.  (I promised that I would share her wonder on the blog!)




All of the educators contributed to the rich discussion by sharing their wonders and how they are using our book study learning within their classrooms.

Thank you for your participation and willingness to WONDER!  

Please note, that I only included a photo of one of the book study groups, in order to respect everyone's privacy.  The other photographs that I captured made it easy to identify participants. (I did not want to do this without asking you-but if you would like your photo to appear on this blog just let me or Marguerite know!)

As an adult, what are you currently wondering about?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Talk Topic 6: Nonfiction Writing from the Heart

Please share with us two ideas that intrigued you from Chapter Two: Nonfiction Writing from the Heart.  

Consider discussing any of the sections: Introduction, What are your three wonders?, Wonder boxes, Heart Wonders, Books of Wonder, Books for Nonfiction writing. 

We would also love to hear how you have used some of these ideas within your program.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Talk Topic 5: Observing, Listening, Wondering...


Share with us two ideas that stood out for you after reading any of the following sections:

6. The Observation Window

7. One Small Square

8. A Listening Walk

9. The Wonder Club

Books for Creating a Wonder World

We'd love for you to cite specific page numbers and quotes!


Talk Topic 4: Lifelong Learning


Marguerite found a wonderful series of questions on "Professional Development Open Minds, Unlock Potential"website by Zaner-Bloser that will act as a support for part of our book study.

Consider sharing about the following:

1. Define a lifelong learner.

2. How might you support a child who experiences difficulty wondering?

3. Why is it important for students to process HOW to answer questions by themselves?

4. What strategies would you try to help the child who just sees the big picture when observing and sees no details?

Friday, April 12, 2013

Talk Topic 3: Exploring Curiosity


Give an example from your classroom of an opportunity or potential opportunity students have for exploring curiosity, expressing creativity, and investigating or inquiring.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Talk Topic 2: Creating a Wonder World

Please leave your reflections around the first section of Chapter One:


Introduction

1. The Wonder Center

2. Wonder of the Week


3. Pondering Time and Whole-Class Shared Research

4. Pet Observation and Wonder Journals

5. The Discovery Table


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Talk Topic 1: Introduction


Here is where we can begin to share what resonated with us from the text's "Introduction:"

I've included the poem to help spark further discussion...

Straight Lines

All the kindergartners 
walk to recess and back
in a perfectly straight line
no words between them.
They must stifle their small voices,
their laughter, they must 
stop the little skip in their walk,
they must not dance or hop
or run or exclaim.
They must line up
at the water fountain
straight, and in perfect form,
like the brick wall behind them.
One of their own given the job
of informer--guard of quiet,
soldier of stillness.
If they talk
or make a sound
they will lose their stars.
Little soldiers marching to and from
pretend
their hair sweaty
from escaping dinosaurs
their hearts full of loving the world
and all they want to do
is shout it out
at the top of their lungs.
When they walk back to class
they must quietly
fold their pretends into pockets,
must dam the river of words,
one's they're just learning
new words that hold the power
to light the skies, and if they don't
a star is taken away.
One star
by one star
until night grows dark and heavy
while they learn to think carefully
before skipping, before making a wish.

(Heard & McDonough, 2009, p. 2-3).

Welcome!


We are so thrilled that you joined us!

Here is an online space to collaborate and engaged in professional dialogue about A Place for Wonder.

Feel free to leave any comments or questions.