Hey all! I'm Jess Keating and I'm a zoologist, author, illustrator, and generally curious person! I write books for kids that I hope will spark curiosity and creativity in readers! (Most of them are about animals or science. Most are funny. All are weird.) #WonderChat
Hey all! I'm Jess Keating and I'm a zoologist, author, illustrator, and generally curious person! I write books for kids that I hope will spark curiosity and creativity in readers! (Most of them are about animals or science. Most are funny. All are weird.) #WonderChat
Tonight's questions! (Feel free to reach me here anytime (tonight or otherwise!) with any questions about books, weird critters, writing, or more! I love interacting with readers here! #WonderChat
A1: Zoology is a great subject because there are so many points of entry to make it relevant for students. Because it expands into so many other fields, all over the world, there will ALWAYS be some way to engage and excite learners. #WonderChat
A1 What kid doesn't love animals? The weirder the better! @Jess_Keating 's books are a great hook for reluctant readers and inquirers. Who can resist her collection of amazingly lovable creatures? #WonderChat
A1/b: Zoology is also a MUCH bigger field of study than people realize. It's not just animals -- it's animals and life from *every* angle. The best way to engage kids is to allow them to explore what they're curious about -- you will find it in zoology! LOOK! #WonderChat
Almost every superhero out there has abilities that can be found in many cool animal species! There is a Wolverine frog that shoots out bone claws! Axolotls can regenerate their brains! Geckos can walk up walls! So, so many!! #WonderChat
Almost every superhero out there has abilities that can be found in many cool animal species! There is a Wolverine frog that shoots out bone claws! Axolotls can regenerate their brains! Geckos can walk up walls! So, so many!! #WonderChat
I teach college English & I am so intrigued by this Tweet alone that I want to figure out how to add this into my curriculum some how! 💖 These weird creatures so much. #WonderChat
Almost every superhero out there has abilities that can be found in many cool animal species! There is a Wolverine frog that shoots out bone claws! Axolotls can regenerate their brains! Geckos can walk up walls! So, so many!! #WonderChat
A2: Engagement! Seriously. Your Ss like dead stuff? Check out archaezoology. Spiders? Arachnology. Mechanics and robots? They'd love bionics. Microscopic stuff? Try embryology or even entomology. Behavior and social stuff? Ethology! Gross stuff? Try pathology! #WonderChat
A2 Even the most introverted, shy Ss come alive when they learn about weird creatures that not many people know about. They can't wait to tell everyone what they've discovered! #WonderChat
A2 (part deux) The cool thing about zoology is that it contains so many other elements within it, so kids learn about many tangential things without realizing it. But! There is also a very cool SOCIAL benefit, which I wrote about here: https://t.co/5pzaxki68N#WonderChat
A2 Even the most introverted, shy Ss come alive when they learn about weird creatures that not many people know about. They can't wait to tell everyone what they've discovered! #WonderChat
It's so true! Some facts demand to be shared -- zoology can provide a gateway to social conversations! Facts are POWER, and that includes among peer groups! #WonderChat
A2 (part deux) The cool thing about zoology is that it contains so many other elements within it, so kids learn about many tangential things without realizing it. But! There is also a very cool SOCIAL benefit, which I wrote about here: https://t.co/5pzaxki68N#WonderChat
A2 When discussing unusual animals, I find students end up a lot more curious than they realized. When you dig deep into why animals look the way they do and behave the way they do, it's fascinating! #WonderChat
A2: The bizarre can open a student's mind in creativity. Most of the craziest and fantastical ideas derive from reality-- in learning about weird animals, we can understand more and more how different things can be and think outside of the box! #WonderChat
A2: The bizarre can open a student's mind in creativity. Most of the craziest and fantastical ideas derive from reality-- in learning about weird animals, we can understand more and more how different things can be and think outside of the box! #WonderChat
So we could put biomimicry under zoology, too, right? We had an all-school biomimicry challenge last year. The Ss loved exploring how animals could inspire solutions to real problems in the world. Here's @wonderopolis wonder about biomimicry! #wonderchathttps://t.co/k1wk3yhtks
In reply to
@Jess_Keating, @KristieHEnnis, @Wonderopolis
Yes ma'am!! #WonderChat There are some incredible biomimicry-centred initiatives out there currently working to save the planet, as well! Great way to tie in ethics, global citizenship, etc!
In reply to
@WymansWonders, @KristieHEnnis, @Wonderopolis
A3: Because it is so vast/varied, you can connect zoology to anything that already excites your kids. Think of their interest as a microcosm, then find ways it branches out. You can also do the reverse, and start with animals and extend out to what you want to cover! #Wonderchat
A3 OMG, #allthethings can connect, including social/emotional and sensory learning, obviously writing and art, culture, social studies...the list is endless! #WonderChat
A3: so many ways! Let’s read about our curiosity! I hear @Jess_Keating writes amazing books & @Wonderopolis has a #wonder or two to choose from!!! Then after reading & learning we can write about what we learned. Of course we must share our learning w/ others. #WonderChat
A3 Investigation will lead to learning about habitats, other parts of the world, cultures, not to mention writing across the curriculum. It's a win, win, really. #WonderChat
A4: I've got a fun trick to focus curiosity into research action. (I use it all the time, myself!) It's called ONE AMAZING THING. Every day, each kid makes a note of ANYTHING they think is awesome. (Don't apply limits here!) 1/2... #wonderchat
A4/b - then, with those 'amazing things' noted, we can use them as springboards to research. You can use ANYTHING as a catalyst for research. Here are some examples! Think metaphor, function, location, etc. Because zoology is LIFE, it all works! 2/2 #WonderChat
Back to #WonderChat now that #NYEDChat just signed off.
A2 #curiosity is sparked when Ss learn about new and interesting topics. Weird animals is one of those can't miss inquiry topics. Dig in and Learn.
A4: we are always trying to grow students academic language so structuring conversations around #wonder and #passion is a great way to amplify student voice! #QSSSA and check out #TRTW by @nancymotleyTRTW#WonderChat
A4 Honoring kids genuine wonders is a blast! I give time during our Genius Hour for exploration. Right now I have a crew exploring bird beaks because of a change in seed at our feeders. We also use wonders of the day and the Wonder Jar idea from @wonderopolis. #wonderchat
A5: Zoology is a great tool to foster global community, bc there is an ecology to it all. In ecology, we learn that "it all depends". One cell in a body depends on others, just as one animal in an ecosystem depends on another. Learning this is very powerful! #Wonderchat
A5/b: The more we learn about other creatures and their place in the world, the more likely we are to care about them. Once we care, we share -- and this applies to habitats and space. We know that education is what solves poverty, hunger, deforestation, and more. #Wonderchat
A5: Zoology is a great tool to foster global community, bc there is an ecology to it all. In ecology, we learn that "it all depends". One cell in a body depends on others, just as one animal in an ecosystem depends on another. Learning this is very powerful! #Wonderchat
A5 I have always felt animals make this enormously amazing world we live in a bit smaller. Because kids love animals it's important to start teaching the importance of conservation and preservation. These weird creatures win our hearts over, so we must protect them. #wonderchat
Yes. We start them early in our district with Kindergarten's "adoption" of our campus vernal pool. They get to know and love the critters that make their home there and want to protect it. They also want to teach everyone else how to protect habitats and ecosystems. #WonderChat
Ok #wonderchat peeps! It’s bedtime for a certain 7 year old. Time to read and create some wonder before 😴 😴 😴! Thanks for sharing your passion tonight @Jess_Keating!
Ok #wonderchat peeps! It’s bedtime for a certain 7 year old. Time to read and create some wonder before 😴 😴 😴! Thanks for sharing your passion tonight @Jess_Keating!
Our local TV news had a spot on about porcupines. I was in PT and everyone stopped to listen. We all wanted to know how the handler picked up the cute little fellow. #WonderChat
A6: I chose to become a zoologist because it embodies everything beautiful about the world. It can be vast and varied, diverse and unique, fascinating and unbelievable. I think, because of this, it teaches us the full extent of what it means to be part of something. #WonderChat
I created a Gallery Walk lesson for SHS on conservation with the topic of hunting to pair with the Most Dangerous Game. The kids were gathering info for a debate. They were intrigued w the photos/texts shown. #WonderChat
A6/cont'd: It's also important to remember that humans are animals. We are part of the global ecosystem, and by learning about other creatures, we use our positions of power in responsible, ethical, and morally sound ways. (If we don't, who will?) #Wonderchat
Eek! 😬 Sorry, I completely forgot about tonight’s #WonderChat. Here in San Antonio for #TCEA. But, YES!!!! growing Ss acad lang is crucial & using @Wonderopolis allows voice & choice. The convos & creative activity possibilities are endless...
In reply to
@Wonderopolis, @matthew_arend, @nancymotleyTRTW, @Wonderopolis
A6/c: There are so many reasons to study zoology. Science is fun! Animals are awesome! But my favorite is that it reminds us that we're all unique in our own ridiculous ways, and how we all have a role to play in the bigger picture. It's a beautiful thing. #WonderChat
A6: That we're all interconnected and a part of the same grand ecosystem. Every living thing's actions affect each other even to the smallest degree. We should be mindful of our actions and learn to preserve what affects others because in turn, it will protect us. #WonderChat
A6 I always love watching videos of mother/baby animals and how they bond. Weird ones are even better to watch because theya re unusual. Lesson learned: parental responsibility, family care, respect #WonderChat
Join the #WonderChat again on 3.4.19 as we partner with #NYEDchat and terrific co-hosts Ira Socol and Pam Moran as we talk about Wonder of MakerEd and Timeless Learning!
Thank you so much for having me! I am always up for chatting about weird animals, curious minds, and everything in between! Have a lovely night, all! #WonderChat
