Discovery Workshop · Week 1
Notice, Wonder, Discover
Turn a tray of ordinary objects into a laboratory for careful looking, thoughtful questions, sorting, drawing, and sharing discoveries.
Workshop snapshot
Time: 40–45 minutes
Adult role: Set out materials, invite thinking, and record dictated ideas when needed.
Big idea: Good discoveries begin when we slow down, notice details, and ask questions.
Learning objectives
- Describe observable details using words, pictures, or gestures.
- Compare and sort objects by a chosen attribute.
- Ask a question inspired by an observation.
- Share evidence that supports an idea.
Gather
- 5–8 safe household or nature objects
- A tray or basket and a cloth
- Magnifying glasses, if available
- Paper, crayons, and pencils
- Two bowls, hoops, or paper circles for sorting
Before the girls begin
Choose objects with interesting differences—such as a pinecone, spoon, feather, shell, key, block, fabric scrap, or toy animal. Place them on the tray and cover them. Keep the experience playful; there is no single correct way to notice or sort.
Open-and-go workshop flow
Reveal the discovery tray
Uncover the tray slowly. Ask: “What do you notice right away?” Give quiet looking time before anyone touches the objects.
Become detail detectives
Let each girl select an object. Invite her to examine color, shape, size, texture, parts, weight, and tiny details. Ask: “What evidence helped you notice that?”
Make groups
Work together to sort the objects. After explaining the first rule, mix them up and find a different way to group them.
Grow questions
Finish the sentence “I wonder…” for at least one object. Choose one question and discuss how you might investigate it using a book, Britannica Kids, an experiment, or an expert.
Make a discovery page
Draw one object carefully. Add labels, detail marks, or a dictated sentence showing something that was noticed.
Celebrate the thinking
Each girl shares one observation and one question. Close with: “Today I discovered that careful looking helps me…”
Right-sized expectations
Brooksley · Kindergarten
Point, name, touch, match, sort, draw, or dictate. Encourage one describing word and one “I wonder” question. An adult may write her words.
Oaklynn · Grade 2
Record several details, name the sorting rule, explain evidence, label a careful drawing, and suggest one way to investigate her question.
Curriculum connections & evidence
Connections: science practices, descriptive language, comparing and classifying, visual art, speaking and listening, and independent research habits.
Save as evidence: each girl’s observation drawing plus one dated sentence or dictated question. A photo of the girls’ two sorting arrangements can be added to the Discovery Workshop record.
Rooted in Faith - Growing in Wisdom