This routine works well at the start of a new unit to spark interest or with relevant elements of a lesson where the teacher is hoping to to deepen understanding. It’s a great way to try and inspire the rare experience of ‘awe’ in students.
It can also be effective towards the end of a unit to help students apply their knowledge.
See
Choose an artwork, image, artifact, or topic for the students to observe.
Ask students to quietly look at the object and note what they see. Encourage them to focus on details, colours, shapes, and any other noticeable features.
Invite students to share their observations with the class, prompting them to complete a sentence starting with “I see…”.
Think
Encourage students to consider what their observations might mean., reflecting on deeper themes or ideas which may be connected.
Ask students to back up their interpretations with reasoning, completing a sentence which starts with “I think…”.
Facilitate a discussion where students can compare their interpretations and offer different perspectives.
Wonder
Ask students to think about what questions or curiosities arise from their observations and interpretations. Prompt them with, “What does this make you wonder?”
Have students share their wonderings with the class, starting with the phrase “I wonder…”.
Students can record their responses for future reference.