Eclectic Technology

If you have not checked out Wonderopolis it worth your time to head over and see the resources available. They post a Wonder of the Day (and as of this writing they have 1328 wonders).

You will find a question and a movie, but that is just the beginning. There are additional questions, a Wonder Gallery, Wonder Words (as in vocabulary), Try It Out (ideas for follow-up work), Still Wondering (additional resources), Test Your Knowledge, and a Wonder What's Next (a teaser for the following wonder).

Although this was written for a Kindergarten class the site allows you to search and provides Wonders appropriate through high school.

The idea of using this as a tool for writing is one that could be used in any classroom, and you could focus it in specific areas or change it daily.

And if you are looking for some Wonders that are appropriate for younger grades you may want to check out this post by the author: 50 Great Wonders from Wonderopolis for Primary Grades.

Are you looking for an extensive list of reading response questions? Look no further. This post provides an in-depth list of questions, as well as suggestions on how the author used them in her classroom.

Along with a lengthy list of great questions there is also a section called Test Readiness Terms that provides additional questions in the areas of Analyze, Compare, Contrast, Define, Describe, Differentiate, Discuss, Evaluate, Explain, Identify, Interpret, List, Main Idea, and Outline.

Below are five randomly chosen questions.

— Describe the most important event. Give at least three reasons why you think it is the most important event.
— Draw an interpretation of the passage – may be a picture, symbols, graphic organizer.

— If you could change what you’re reading, how would you change it?

— Is the setting described well enough that can put a picture of it in your mind? Why or why not?

— What have you found boring about what you’ve been reading? What made it boring? If you were the author, what would you do to make it more interesting?

If you have students using writing journals it is worth your time to check out this list. You may not want to use all of the questions (the author notes that a printed list ran to 10 pages) so take the time to review and select ones that will work with your students.