I Wonder... Nature Walk Questions

Hi friends,
 
     How are you?  I hope you are well.  It is summer and homeschoolers might want to take it easy, but still do something fun and educational.  So, I created a nice little activity for your enjoyment.





     This activity encourages questioning and curiosity as a way of learning.  People are more apt to want to learn and seek out learning opportunities if they can pique their interest.  Let’s face it.  It is more fun to learn the answers to the things we wonder than it is to learn what other people say we should learn.

     Encourage curiosity, questioning, and learning in your students.  Take students for a walk outside.  Let them explore.  Prompt them to find things and wonder things about different objects.  It might be difficult for students to pique their curiosity or come up with questions at first, but encourage them to keep trying. 

     One way to help students learn to wonder is to role model it.  The questions might seem awkward and made up to you, but with some enthusiasm in your voice, you can show your students how rewarding it can be to wonder.  Maybe say things like, “Oh wow!  Look at that stone.  It is all black except for that white streak going through the middle.  I wonder… Why would a black stone have a white streak in it?”

     Maybe ask students to take a guess as to what they think the answer might be.  I actually don’t know the answer.  In a general sense, I would guess that it might be some sort of mineral that was formed or pressed into the stone.

     After students guess their answers, help them look up the answers.  Show them a book that might have the answer, help them research it online, or tell them the answer if you know it.

     Try to make this activity as enjoyable as possible.  You want to encourage learning, not discourage it.  Try not to overwhelm the students by trying to do too much at once.  That is why I only have room for three different questions.  It can be done in one lesson or three.  It doesn’t matter.

     This activity includes taking a walk outside or at least spending some time outside.  If you want, do it informally, as part of some fun outdoors family time.  Walk or hike and nonchalantly start your wondering questions.  Maybe ask students to collect a few interesting items to bring home and explore further. 

     I hope you enjoy the “I Wonder… Nature Walk Questions” activity sheet.  Please, feel free to download it and use it.  It is my gift to you.  I want to encourage learning.

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Now, it is your turn.

     Thank you for being here.  I appreciate your kindness and support.  I hope you are finding value in the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations.  If you are finding value, please share the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations.  Help others find value as well.

     I am interested in your comments.  What do you do to encourage others to use curiosity and questioning to learn?  How do you encourage others to want to learn and find the enjoyment in learning?

     It is summer and I am pretty lax with my Education Blog.  I am hoping everyone is enjoying themselves this summer.  If you are already thinking about next year's school year, please explore what DUO Inspirations has to offer in education.  If you don't see a resource you would like to see, please feel free to contact me.  Let me share the benefit of my years of educational experience with you.  I enjoy offering and sharing educational resources, strategy, tips, and ideas.  Thank you.

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