Surprise Bag

Surprise and curiosity stimulate the brain.  We are naturally motivated to solve mysteries.

When you use the surprise bag to introduce a lesson, you capitalize upon this moment of excitement and use it to entice students to ask deductive questions.

Instruct students to ask you about clues that will help them determine what is in the bag.

Share examples and non-examples of appropriate questions.  Example, "Is it a living thing?"  Non-example, "Is it a cupcake?"  Continue to practice identifying examples and non-examples until students understand the concept.

Students may want to name the object.   Redirect them to ask questions that help them describe the object.

Lead students to deduce the name of the object.  The object will provide a concrete example of a concept from the text.

Use this strategy to inspire students to think deeply about a concept BEFORE a unit begins.

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