Ready-to-use classroom activity

I Notice, I Wonder

Students observe a text, image, object, or data and generate 'I notice...' statements and 'I wonder...' questions to build curiosity and observation skills.

Grade range

Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Works across

ScienceMathematicsEnglishHistoryForeign Language

Activity style

IndividualAnalyticalVisual

Classroom walkthrough

See it in practice

One concrete example you can borrow, adapt, or teach as written.

Example lesson context

Introducing a Math Problem (Mathematics - 5th Grade)

Materials

Gather these before class.

  • Problem or image displayed without the question
  • Two-column recording sheet
  • Chart paper for class collection

Preparation

What to have ready before students begin.

Select a rich problem or image. Display initially without showing the question. Prepare two-column anchor chart: I Notice | I Wonder. Have individual recording sheets ready.

Run the activity

A classroom-ready sequence from launch to follow-up.

1

Display the math scenario without showing the question: A table shows prices of different size pizzas at three restaurants.

2

'Before we see the question, let's observe. What do you notice?'

3

Silent think time (1 minute): Study the information.

4

Individual writing (3 minutes): Write 'I notice...' statements. Be specific. 'I notice Restaurant A has the cheapest small pizza at $6.'

5

Share noticings: Collect on chart paper. Accept all observations without judgment.

6

'Now what do you wonder? What questions pop into your mind?'

7

Individual writing (3 minutes): Write 'I wonder...' questions. 'I wonder which restaurant has the best deal for a large pizza.'

8

Share wonderings: Collect on chart paper.

9

Reveal the actual problem question. 'Did anyone wonder something similar?'

10

Solve the problem, building on observations and questions generated.

Differentiate

Adjust the activity without losing its core purpose.

Provide sentence frames: 'I notice that...', 'I wonder if/why/how...'. Accept drawings as noticings for younger students. Challenge advanced students to categorize their noticings (numbers, relationships, patterns).

Look for learning

Use these signals to assess understanding.

Evaluate specificity and relevance of noticings. Check if wonderings lead toward mathematical thinking. Note which students make sophisticated observations.