Looking to Learn: I See, I Think, I Wonder
This simple discussion activity allows learners to make careful observations and thoughtful inferences about what they see. It stimulates curiosity and helps teachers facilitate an inquiry-based conversation around a piece of artwork. It is easily adaptable for use with a variety of art objects
I See, I Think, I Wonder
Before sharing details or background information about the object with students, allow them ample opportunity to look at it closely. Ask the students to answer:
What do you see?
What do you think about that?
What does it make you wonder?
Students may answer the questions informally as a group or answer them individually and share with the class.
Once students have made observations and shared ideas, use the discussion of their responses as your opportunity to share more information about the object.
Alternative format: In the gallery ask students to record their I See, I Think, I Wonder responses to objects and then have them compare their answers with the object label. What surprised them? Were some of their ideas right on target? Have some of their “I wonder” statements been addressed?
Adapted fromArtful Thinking by Project Zero , Harvard University. Used under CC BY-NC 4.0