A routine for exploring works of art and other interesting things
What do you see?
What do you think about that?
What does it make you wonder?
WHY
To help student make careful observations and thoughtful interpretations; to stimulate
curiosity and set the stage for inquiry
WHEN
Use this routine when you want students to think carefully about why something looks the way it does or is the way it is.
HOW
Ask students to make an observation about the artwork or topic and follow up with what they think might be going on or what they think this observation might be. En-courage students to back up their interpretation with reasons. Ask the students to think about what this makes them wonder about the artwork or topic.
The routine works best when a student responds by using the three stems together at the same time, i.e., ?I see?, I think?, I wonder ?. ? However, you may find that students begin by using one stem at a time, and that you need to scaffold each re-sponse with a follow up question for the next stem.
The routine works well in a group discussion but in some cases you may want to have students carry out the routine individually on paper or in their heads before sharing them out as a class. Student responses to the routine can be written down and recorded so that a class chart of observations, interpretations and wonderings are listed for all to see and return to during the course of study.
