Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis is a site about what students wonder about.  It includes videos, articles, photos, diagrams, and other media to give students the big picture about interesting content.  There is a different wonder everyday, and you can explore past wonders on your own.  Student interest drives learning!  Let learners choose what to read.  Below is just a sample of the numerous wonders to explore...

Many wonders match current science and social studies themes you are teaching, and ELA standards are prominent as students explore ideas across media.  Learners may also click on the speaker and the text is read aloud.  There is a vocabulary section, quiz, and an area to explore topics further if interested. 

How can Wonderopolis be used in the classroom?

1. Use the wonder question as a journal prompt before reading the answer, then go back and write in the journal what you learned about the topic

2. Include Wonderopolis as a choice to read during Daily 5

3. Explore nonfiction writing traits/styles by analyzing the author's writing

4. After researching a topic, create and publish your own wonder using Google Presentations, Popplet, Educreations, Tellegami, Pic Collage, or other tech tools students are already using

5. After students watch the video and explore text, create an open ended response question that requires students to use information from the video and text to support their ideas; model first by writing aloud as a group

6. Ask students to teach a partner about a wonder to practice summarizing and finding main idea; create a web on Popplet first and use it as a tool while presenting to partner