Curiosity-Based Thinking in Action: Strategies for Teachers
Curiosity-Based Thinking is a methodology that uses content, processes, and activities to pique students' natural curiosity and encourage the exploration of new ideas.?
In the spirit of creating a more curious world, I’m passionate about spreading the curiosity with examples of Curiosity-Based Thinking actions and examples teachers can use in the classroom.?
So, here you go! Ready, set, get curious!
Asking "What If...?" Questions
“What if...?" questions are a powerful tool for generating curiosity and encouraging students to think creatively and divergently.
Examples of "what if...?" questions teachers can use:
Subject-Specific:?
"What if plants could talk? What would they tell us?" (Science)?
"What if the Roman Empire had never fallen? How would the world be different today?" (History)?
"What if the main character in the story made a different choice? How would that change the ending?" (Language Arts)
Open-Ended/Humorous:?
"What if broccoli tasted like chocolate? Would you eat more vegetables?"?
"What if gravity worked in reverse? What would happen to everything around us?"
Curiosity A-Z?
The Curiosity A-Z process is a reverse scavenger hunt that encourages students to explore a topic from multiple perspectives.?
How to do Curiosity A-Z:
Introduce a new topic and challenge students to come up with a question, fact, and/or insight about the topic for each letter of the alphabet. The Curiosity A-Z process can then be applied in several ways such as:?
Use Curiosity A-Z as a pre-writing activity, helping students generate ideas and organize their thoughts before writing an essay or report.
Use Curiosity A-Z as a review activity helping students gain confidence in their comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of a topic.
Encourage students to use Curiosity A-Z as a tool for self-directed learning, exploring topics that they are personally curious about.
Create your own Curiosity A-Z activity lists to give to students to introduce a topic, spark their curiosity about the topic, and subtly introduce the learning direction and goals to which you wish to guide them.
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Biomimicrosity
Biomimicrosity is a process that encourages students to explore the unique adaptations of living organisms and to apply those adaptations to solve problems and design innovative solutions.?
Examples of Biomimicrosity challenges:
"How can we design a more energy-efficient building inspired by the structure of a termite mound?" (Science/Engineering)
"How can we create a new type of adhesive inspired by the sticky feet of a gecko?" (Science/Engineering)
"How can we improve the design of a wind turbine inspired by the shape of a humpback whale fin?" (Science/Engineering)
Problem Pizza
The Problem Pizza process is a fun and engaging way to help students break down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts.?
How Problem Pizza works:
Draw a large circle on a whiteboard or poster board and divide it into six slices, like a pizza.
Write the problem in the center of the circle.
Assign each slice of the pizza to a different aspect of the problem, such as: What, Who, When, Where, How, Why, Huh (i.e. what’s the biggest challenge to solving the problem?), and Wow! (i.e. how does a solution to the problem make the world more awesome?)
Brainstorm ideas and insights related to each slice of the pizza.
Connect the ideas from each slice to develop a comprehensive understanding of the problem and to identify potential solutions.
Encouraging Tactile Curiosity
Tactile curiosity, or the curiosity that arises from physical engagement with the world, can be a powerful motivator for learning.
How teachers can encourage tactile curiosity:
Provide opportunities for students to experiment with different materials and tools. (Science, Art, Maker Spaces)
Incorporate hands-on activities into lessons whenever possible. (Science, Math, Art)
Encourage students to build, design, and create things. (Science, Engineering, Art, Maker Spaces)
Curious about curiosity? Want to get more out of your curiosity–and the curiosity of your students? Follow along for more examples of how to make leverage student curiosity for increasing student engagement. Or contact me for information about barring Curiosity-Based Thinking to your schools.
Stay curious! Matt
NAICS 22114 CEO @ Founder S.I.P Thermal Growhouses or Farms , US Patent in Energy & Agriculture, Energy Effective solutions , Project Planning,US Patent sustainable,emissions, climate change.
3 周How can you have curiosity when you have video games and phones that tell you how to do something My father said this would be the nightmare to ingenuity. But my father was common sense. He didn’t buy us a lot of elaborate toys he however did challenges in car rides and here’s something I would try take Elmer’s glue. put a dot on the thumb and a dot on the four finger put a feather in it see which student can figure out how to get it off, there’s your curious thinker in group . I was raised back in the day when you could go to work with your father and mothers. I stuck by my dad side. He taught me everything from electrical to plumbing to working on radars and missile equipment. One day got stranded on the side of the roadin My father first questioned was what mile marker are at , where is society has forgot to change and teach the simple things I live outside in Gods Internet. You’re an amazing teacher and I don’t know how you do it ,with the generations today but I am thankful and blessed you do . I am blessed by the opportunity to learn from you and I wish I was closer. I would love to learn more.