Building a Curious School
Restore the Joy That Brought You to School
- Bryan Goodwin - President and CEO of McREL
A Joint Publication With McRel, Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL
Unleash the power of curiosity and the joy of learning!
Curiosity is hardwired in all of us, but the longer students stay in school, the less curious they become. Why is that?
Building a Curious School uncovers the many subtle ways in which formal education seems to hinder our natural curiosity and reveals how rekindling a sense of wonder in schools can prime the pump for learning, foster a culture of engagement, grow better educational leaders, and prepare students and staff to lead more fulfilling lives. Grounded in research, this engaging examination of curiosity shows educators how to intentionally cultivate inquisitiveness and wonder in teaching and learning. It includes
· A plethora of activities, ideas, and tips to encourage curiosity
· Compelling examples of curiosity at work in schools, businesses, and communities
· Tools for supporting curiosity in ways that spark meaningful conversations and promote empathy, equity, and social-emotional learning
If you've ever wondered anything, really—just out of curiosity—then you've got what it takes to lead your school to restored curiosity and your students to wellbeing and success.
“This book lays out a vision as to the way schools can and should be approached to stimulate curiosity as a natural part of the teaching/learning process.”
--Robert J. Marzano, Cofounder and CAO, Marzano Resources, Cofounder and Strategic Advisor, Marzano Research
“A powerful ‘must-read’ for all educators who want learning not only to be lively but also impactful and meaningful for every student.”
--Lyn Sharratt, Internship Supervisor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada
Free resources
Webinar: Building a Curious School
Learn from Bryan Goodwin, author of Building a Curious School, how schools have “flipped the script” on improvement efforts—not by forcing rigid compliance with mandates or implementation of external programs, but by unleashing what’s already inside everyone—students and teachers alike—and waiting to come out: curiosity.
This is an important book. Although many authors have written about curiosity as a powerful tool in the learning process, none, to my knowledge, have approached the topic with the clarity provided by Bryan Goodwin. Much more than a collection of instructional strategies, this book lays out a vision as to the way schools can and should be approached to stimulate curiosity as a natural part of the teaching/learning process.
This intriguing read is thought-provoking, relevant and practical all at once. Goodwin researches the strong links between creativity and longevity, creativity and student engagement, and creativity and strong instruction in the classroom. A powerful ‘must-read’ for all educators who want learning not only to be lively but also impactful and meaningful for every student.
Bryan reminds us that wonder and curiosity are natural forces in all of us that need to be rekindled in our schools if we are to make learning engaging and meaningful.
We have come to recognize that in education the key to success lies within the context of collaborative inquiry as a means for questioning, learning, and improving. Bryan Goodwin has gone beyond this general viewpoint and defined the secret ingredient for success among students, teachers, schools and organizations; curiosity. Building a Curious School provides the research, reflective activities and tools that are needed to bring curiosity to life in our schools.
With heavy doses of wit, research, and real-talk, Building a Curious School explores a rather obvious—but often untrodden—path to improvement in classrooms, schools, relationships, and even happiness. This is a book I couldn’t put down, and I’ll read it again and again!
