“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” -Socrates
It's the most wonderful time of the year.... Schools are opening, students and teachers are wondering and getting ready for a new year of learning. All learners need to be part of safe places to experiment, make mistakes, try new things and wonder about the world around us. We must all make our learning lives public and contagious. There is no end to what we can learn and no end to wondering.
As a coach/consultant, I spend my days teaching and learning with other educators and students. A huge part of our collaborative conversations go back to the best ways to support students’ choices and voices in their own learning communities. There are many possibilities that all begin with a wonder of the day. Wonderopolis provides the initial wonderings and we collaborate to find wonders to pair with other texts: poetry, nonfiction and more. We talk, read and write across texts to grow ideas. With these wonderful possibilities, we can question more, read more and write more. So as you are planning for back to school what better way to start the year then to celebrate with wonders and paired texts that strengthen our community and touch the hearts and minds of all learners!
Looking for a #B2SWonder? Check out this list of wonders and paired texts that supports W.O.N.D.E.R.
W-Wonder, investigate and celebrate ideas
O- Open the world of possibilities
N-Navigate new worlds through the wonderful world of books
D-Decide to make a difference
E-Explore student voices and choices
R-Reflect on the power of words
Wonder, investigate and celebrate ideas
Wonder of the Day Are you a good observer ?
What do your students wonder about? What investigations would they like to make this year? How can we model and lead curious lives?
O- Open the world of possibilities
Wonder of the Day Are You Talented?
The OK Book- Amy Krouse Rosenthal
What are your strengths? What would you like to learn more about? What are your goals for the new year?
N-Navigate new worlds through the wonderful worlds of books
How to Read a Story by Kate Messner
Reading can take you places. Imagine the possibilities. What authors do you love? What do you want to read this year?
D-Decide to make a difference
Wonder of the Day: How Can You Make Someone’s Day?
Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome
Looking for wonderful ways to support your community of learners?
E-Explore student voices and choices
Wonder of the Day: How Do You Have a Voice?
Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon
How can we get to know our students as readers and writers?
How can we get our students to share their voices and tell their stories?
Bonus wonder and pairing:
Wonder of the Day: How Does Your School Use Technology?
Goodnight iPad- Ann Droyd
What tools do we have access to? What digital tools do we want to learn about and use more? How can we navigate and use new tech tools to enrich our learning? How can we use tools that empower our students?
R-Reflect on the power of words
Wonder of the Day: Do you like to play with words?
The Word Collector – Sonja Wimmer
Words can inspire. How can reflect, collect and celebrate the power of words?
365 Days of Wonder RJ Palaccio
Love using #glitterboards (photo frames with glitter as instant dry erase boards) to celebrate wonder-ful words and inspirational quotes.
Kindness can spread like glitter and w.o.n.d.e.r. can be contagious. Happy new year of wondering!
Thanks - this is an amazing resources. Cannot wait to share it with teachers and coaches! Hope your year is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteClare and Tammy