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Many Questions

Why is the sky blue? How do birds fly? These questions might try our patience, but they are necessary for the development of a child's sense of agency and independence. Children will listen for questions in a book and create question-themed art using the crayon watercolor resist technique.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper
  • Salt

Steps

  • Step 1

    When children ask questions, they are taking an active role in their own learning. As they pose questions and explore the answers they are developing critical thinking skills and gaining a sense of independence. Read a book such as "Are You My Mother?" by P.D. Eastman, "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss, or any other in which a character poses questions. Ask children to indicate when they hear a question in the story. Have a discussion about how asking questions is an essential and lifelong process. 

  • Step 2

    Draw a question mark on the board and encourage children to create artwork that incorporates this symbol. Have them use the crayon watercolor resist technique. They can create a design by pressing firmly with a wax crayon and then painting over the crayon and blank spaces with watercolors. Adding a sprinkle of salt while the paint is wet can produce a sparkly effect, which can represent the spark of curiosity.

  • Step 3

    Display the artwork on a bulletin board as a reminder to stay curious and ask questions.

Standards

SEL: Self-Awareness: Understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. 

SEL: Self-Awareness: Recognize one’s strengths, emotions, and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose. 

SEL: Responsible Decision-Making: Demonstrate curiosity and open-mindedness. 

Adaptations

Play "20 Questions" with the class. This game is a great way to improve vocabulary and language skills, boost memory and attention span, and prompt chldren to think outside the box.

"Where Fish Go in Winter (And Answers to Other Great Mysteries)" by Amy Golman Koss provides child-friendly, easy-to-understand answers to such questions a why you hear the sound of the sea in a seashell, how fish survive when water freezes, and other questions.