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.

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?

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.

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

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.