Cool and useful website: Wonderopolis

I first heard about Wonderopolis from a blog post I read last summer. Ever since, I've been thinking about how it could be used in the classroom.

Wonderopoolis is a site that inspires creativity, thinking, exploration, and, of course, wonder. Each day the site posts a new wonder that kids can explore. Some examples of wonders are: How Many Hot Dogs Can I Eat In 10 minutes? How Rare Is The Rhino? What Is Infinity? Each wonder is accompanied by a short video. Here is the video for the wonder How Do Pets Find Homes?

 

There is also a detailed discussion of the topic which includes vocabulary words. An interactive Wonder Words section helps students extend their understanding of the highlighted vocabulary words in the article.

Other sections of the website allow learners to explore previous wonders, submit ideas for new wonders, and vote on wonders others are thinking about.

How can this site be used in the classroom? The possibilities are endless! Here are just a few quick ideas:

• watch the video and discuss what was learned
• students write in their journal, blog, or on Edmodo about what they learned
• draw and label pictures about the wonder
• have students further research the wonder
• take the Wonder Word Challenge and use the vocabulary words in a story or article about the wonder
• have students select a previous wonder and write, blog, or post on Edmodo about it
• assign the wonder as part of the homework for students to share with their family

What other ideas do you have for using this website in your classroom?