See-Think-Wonder: Unlocking Curiosity

The See Think Wonder routine is a simple yet powerful thinking routine designed to help students slow down, look carefully, and develop deeper understanding. Often used as part of Visible Thinking and other classroom routines, this strategy guides learners through three steps: first observing closely (See), then interpreting and making connections (Think), and finally asking questions (Wonder). Whether you’re analysing primary sources, exploring new concepts, or reflecting on everyday objects, See Think Wonder encourages metacognitive skill building and a habit of curiosity that can transform how students learn.

Originally developed to make thinking visible in classrooms, this approach works across ages and subjects. For example, teachers might pair a See, Think, Wonder worksheet with a historical photograph or a science image to spark rich discussion and critical thinking. Because it’s flexible and open-ended, it’s equally effective for promoting engagement in professional learning communities or supporting younger children learning to express their ideas.

By inviting students to share what they notice and wonder, the routine creates a collaborative environment where questions are valued as much as answers. In a time when fostering independent thinking and curiosity is more important than ever, See Think Wonder offers a practical, accessible way to bring thoughtful exploration into everyday lessons.

Key Points:

• See Think Wonder is a thinking routine that builds observation, interpretation, and questioning skills.
• It uses visual prompts and structured steps to encourage critical thinking and metacognition.
• This routine supports a culture of curiosity and can be adapted for any age group or subject area.

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Introduction to See-Think-Wonder

The See-Think-Wonder strategy, a thinking routine crafted by Harvard's Project Zero, offers a structured approach to inquiry. It's a versatile tool designed to deepen our understanding by distinctly separating observation from interpretation, thus minimizing the tendency for snap judgments.

How it Works:

1. See: Begin by observing carefully. What do you notice? Look at visual images, media clips, or artifacts without jumping to conclusions.
2. Think: Reflect on your observations. What thoughts or interpretations come to mind?
3. Wonder: Pose questions. What more would you like to explore or understand?

Interestingly, this routine boosts media literacy, enabling students to critically evaluate different sources and pose thoughtful questions. It’s part of a larger initiative aimed at making thinking processes visible, which cultivates lifelong learning skills.

Applications:

• Visual media
• Political cartoons
• Scientific phenomena
• Historical artifacts

Whether applied to a classic piece of visual art or a contemporary video clip, See-Think-Wonder encourages a thoughtful exploration—and maybe just a little bit of curiosity—about the world around us.

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The Three Steps of See-Think-Wonder

Harvard's Project Zero introduced the See-Think-Wonder strategy as a dynamic approach to fostering inquiry in education. This method encourages critical thinking and curiosity through a structured process: observing, interpreting, and questioning. Imagine a balanced discussion encapsulated in three stages, where observation leads to interpretation, paving the way for exploration.

Adaptable and flexible, this strategy can cater to various educational contexts, including media literacy and beyond. Though it primarily targets visual content, it’s versatile enough to be tailored across subjects. Its core aim? To inspire students to thoughtfully engage with and reflect upon the world around them.

Step 1: See - Observation and Noticing

The "See" step invites students to focus purely on observation, without immediately jumping to conclusions or judgments. Picture students gazing at artworks, documents, or any form of media, meticulously noting details. This stage serves to hone their ability to gather accurate information, a skill vital for developing well-grounded interpretations later. Here, the key question "What do you see?" guides them, promoting a disciplined approach to observing the visual elements.

Discussions in class can be enriched when these initial observations are shared, fostering a collaborative learning environment. By emphasizing attention to detail, the "See" step lays a solid foundation for deeper inquiry.

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Step 2: Think - Interpretation and Analysis

Once observations are made, the "Think" step challenges students to delve into interpretation and analysis. This phase encourages reasoning, where learners form interpretations based on the evidence they've observed. Separating observation from reasoning ensures that their conclusions are thoughtful and based on informed insights.

Here, students articulate what they think is happening, making sense of their observations through reasoning and analysis. This exercise often sparks diverse views, enabling contrasting yet insightful conclusions that enrich understanding. This stage is all about processing and sharing those conclusions, pulling from the visual evidence presented in the first step.

Step 3: Wonder - Questioning and Exploration

The final step, "Wonder," shifts focus to the questions that arise from the initial observations and thoughts. At this stage, curiosity is the driving force. Students write down their lingering questions, aiming to address what’s still unclear or unexplored. The questions posed here can guide future lessons or morph into topics for extended research projects.

The idea is to provide students with a platform for further investigation. In doing so, they learn to delve deeper into subjects, fuelled by their curiosity. Here, the initial observations set the groundwork for broader exploration, ensuring that learning remains an evolving, dynamic process.

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Benefits of the See-Think-Wonder Strategy

The See-Think-Wonder strategy is a powerful tool that has found its roots in Harvard's Project Zero, and it is quickly becoming indispensable in classrooms across the globe. At its core, this method emphasizes structured observation, thoughtful interpretation, and engaging inquiry. Its versatility allows educators to apply it in diverse contexts, thereby enhancing how students process visual content.

Whether it involves examining political cartoons or diving into the depths of a historical fiction narrative, this strategy adapts seamlessly, encouraging balanced discussions. It gently nudges students to ponder deeper, often sparking curiosity that stretches beyond the initial subject matter. Let's explore some specific ways this strategy benefits students and educators alike, starting with its role in critical thinking and inquiry.

Enhancing Inquiry and Critical Thinking

See-Think-Wonder provides a structured yet flexible approach to developing inquiry and critical thinking skills. Originating from Harvard's Project Zero initiative, this routine embodies the idea of careful analysis through three simple questions: "What do you see?", "What do you think is going on?", and "What do you wonder?" These prompts guide students through a process of slow, deliberate observation and interpretation. It asks them not to rush to conclusions but to engage deeply with visual materials like art, photographs, or even complex media like video clips.

By encouraging this depth of thought, See-Think-Wonder enhances critical thinking and media literacy. Students learn to evaluate sources critically and consider the reliability of the information presented to them. It serves not just as a scaffold but as a bridge to understanding, allowing students to look at documents and newspaper articles with an inquisitive, discerning eye—skills that are invaluable in today's fast-paced, information-rich world.

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Promoting Student Engagement

When students engage with visually based materials such as art or diagrams through this routine, the focus shifts to active learning. They become participants rather than passive consumers of information.

Educators find that by using this reflective process, students naturally begin to evaluate and question, fostering valuable media literacy skills. In a world where media is fragmented and complex, being able to deconstruct and critically assess information is essential. The strategy facilitates rich classroom discussions, ideally leading to deeper exploration of the subject matter. It's this versatility and capacity for adaptation across subjects and topics—ranging from artistic to ethical dilemmas—that makes See-Think-Wonder a valuable tool for reflective and self-directed learning.

Encouraging Reflective Learning

Another significant benefit of the See-Think-Wonder strategy is its ability to foster reflective learning. Designed to encourage a slower, more contemplative thinking process, this routine offers students a structured platform to carefully analyze various materials—from artworks to texts. By prompting them to deliberate on what they observe and what questions arise, students are encouraged to engage more fully with the content.

This method emphasizes making thinking visible. This visibility helps enhance students' critical thinking abilities, encouraging them to become more self-directed learners. As they articulate their observations and inquiries, they are led toward further exploration and active learning.

It acts as a catalyst, prompting ongoing curiosity and inquiry, thereby building essential metacognitive skills. Indeed, See-Think-Wonder celebrates the art of reflection, helping students to slow down and appreciate the subtleties in everything from scientific phenomena to iconic pictures.

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Implementing See-Think-Wonder in the Classroom

The See-Think-Wonder routine is a powerful, inquiry-based teaching strategy that transforms the classroom into a forum for exploration and discovery. This method actively involves students, promoting critical thinking and sparking their natural curiosity. When applied effectively, See-Think-Wonder guides learners through a structured process. Initially, they observe, then interpret, and eventually question, leading to deeper understanding and insight.

It's like witnessing the slow unfurling of a mystery; students learn to evaluate sources and ask probing questions about trustworthiness, which helps develop crucial media literacy skills. This adaptable approach lends itself to various educational settings, making it possible to explore multiple stimuli and achieve diverse educational outcomes. It encourages students not just to absorb information but to critically engage with it, which is, after all, a huge part of educating.

Selecting Engaging Imagery

Selecting the right imagery is perhaps the backbone of the See-Think-Wonder strategy. The more detailed and engaging the image, the better it stimulates curiosity and paves the way for rich classroom discussions. Pictures bursting with narratives—those that seem to tell a story or include fascinating characters, animals, or natural phenomena—usually capture attention most effectively.

Distributing copies of such images to students can facilitate better engagement. It allows them to label certain elements directly on the image. When learners actively participate in dissecting an image, they naturally articulate their observations and interpretations more clearly. Connecting the chosen image to the topic of study makes the learning experience not only more impactful but also more relatable. This connection can enhance students' investment in the learning process, turning passive observation into active inquiry.

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Facilitating Thoughtful Discussions

Facilitating discussions is a critical component of the See-Think-Wonder routine. By encouraging students to share what they observe, think, and wonder, educators open the door to deeper engagement. This often leads to new areas of inquiry, springing from students' natural curiosities and comments. The process invites them to slow down and observe thoroughly, urging a more detailed examination that often yields richer, more thought-provoking conclusions.

Curious questions emerge—questions that push learning boundaries and inspire further investigation. It's this cycle of observation, interpretation, and questioning that’s intended to spark curiosity. Discussions become vibrant when learners connect their observations with the broader context, combining curiosity with critical thinking. The routine invites students not to rush to conclusions but to linger a moment longer in the land of questions, fostering a culture of inquiry that can energize the entire learning environment.

Integrating into Daily Classroom Activities

Integrating the See-Think-Wonder strategy into everyday classroom activities doesn't require an overhaul of teaching methods. Its versatility makes it well-suited to a wide range of subjects and learning contexts, from art history to science observations to historical investigations.

It's been adapted to suit various educational needs, pushing the boundaries of how and where critical thinking skills can be nurtured. By tailoring the language and focus to the subject at hand, educators can inspire students to not only observe and question but to express their insights more clearly. This routine not only serves to build communication skills but also brings out creativity and analytical thinking. When woven into the fabric of classroom life, See-Think-Wonder cultivates a habit of inquiry, turning students into insightful observers and thoughtful inquirers.

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Building a Community of Curious Learners

Building a Community of Curious Learners is more than just a classroom goal; it's the vision for a vibrant, engaging educational ecosystem. One method, the See, Think, Wonder approach, helmed by Harvard's Project Zero, stands out as a powerful tool in this endeavor. It invites students to engage deeply with various forms of media—images, artifacts, texts—before rushing to conclusions.

I've seen, in my own teaching experiences, how slowing down observation leads to some truly profound insights from students. By nurturing curiosity through this method, educators empower learners not merely to consume information, but to dive into it, to question it, and ultimately to understand it in a more nuanced way. Through this engagement, students not only enrich their learning but also contribute to a collaborative and dynamic learning environment that benefits everyone.

Fostering a Culture of Curiosity

Creating a Culture of Curiosity within the classroom transforms learning from a passive experience into an active quest for knowledge. The See, Think, Wonder routine builds a foundation for this exploration by guiding students to not just see what's in front of them, but to question why it's significant.

For instance, when students examine a historical artifact or an image, they're prompted not to just observe, but to think and wonder—that's where the magic happens. It's fascinating to watch students' initial perceptions evolve into complex questions and discussions. This critical thinking routine is adaptable, applicable not only to school-aged children but to learners of all ages. Through consistent practice, students cultivate the habit of looking beyond the surface, asking "What's going on here?" and "Why does it matter?"—a mental shift that's immensely valuable in any educational journey.

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Encouraging Collaboration among Students

Encouraging Collaboration among Students is another layer that See, Think, Wonder naturally supports. When students share their observations and thoughts, they do more than voice individual insights; they build on each other's ideas to form a collective understanding.

The classroom turns into a dynamic arena of sharing and mutual learning, where each student's input fosters deeper inquiry. Crucial skills like media literacy are honed through this process as students learn to evaluate sources and information critically. In my past classrooms, these discussions have occasionally gone on unexpected tangents but often led to rich, unforeseen insights.

The true power of this routine lies in its versatility, seamlessly adapting across disciplines and subjects from visual arts to scientific phenomena. As students engage with this practice, they learn not only to express their thoughts but to listen, challenge, and evolve along with their peers, making learning a shared and enriching journey.

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