I am hoping to use these Wonder Journals as a way to explore and develop students' questioning ability. The idea is that they will get better at forming questions as the year goes on. I cannot take credit for the Wonder Journal idea, but would like to thank the teacher who did "invent" it, wherever he/she is--thank you. Please drop us a line if it's you.
Thanks to the wonderful website, wonderopolis.org, I simply project the "Wonder of the Day" picture (which is right there on the main page when you open the website) onto my white board and voila, the students can start jotting down their questions. Honestly, I did not do any kind of mini-lesson or pre-teaching about questioning, I just instructed the students to write at least 2 questions or more. Those lessons will come eventually. For those students who are unsure, start them with the prompt, "I wonder..." For IEP kids, you can have them copy one or more of the questions already provided under the picture.
These questions came from the "Wonder of the Day #1512: Where Is Shanghai?"
Thanks to the wonderful website, wonderopolis.org, I simply project the "Wonder of the Day" picture (which is right there on the main page when you open the website) onto my white board and voila, the students can start jotting down their questions. Honestly, I did not do any kind of mini-lesson or pre-teaching about questioning, I just instructed the students to write at least 2 questions or more. Those lessons will come eventually. For those students who are unsure, start them with the prompt, "I wonder..." For IEP kids, you can have them copy one or more of the questions already provided under the picture.
These questions came from the "Wonder of the Day #1512: Where Is Shanghai?"
There is so much potential with this website, you can really go wild! There is plenty of discussion ammunition here, too. I have barely scratched the surface with this website and am excited to continue to explore it with the kids! I'll keep you posted.
Laura
Laura