I Wonder Wednesday

I Wonder Wednesday at Barrowford School

At Barrowford School, we want our children to grow as curious, thoughtful learners who are not afraid to ask questions. Inspired by Ian Gilbert’s Independent Thinking, our I Wonder Wednesday initiative gives pupils regular opportunities to explore intriguing questions and reflect on the world around them.

What is I Wonder Wednesday?

Each Wednesday, children are presented with a question drawn from Ian Gilbert’s Independent Thinking. These questions are deliberately open-ended, designed to spark curiosity and discussion rather than produce a single ‘right’ answer.

Examples of past questions include:

• I wonder if money makes you happy?
• I wonder what would happen if humans could fly?
• I wonder why we remember some things and forget others?

By discussing these questions, children learn to think critically, listen carefully, and express their ideas with confidence.

How I Wonder Wednesday Enriches Learning

• Encouraging Curiosity: Big questions invite children to look beyond the obvious and stretch their thinking.
• Building Thinking Skills: Open-ended discussion develops reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Strengthening Communication: Sharing ideas helps pupils become more confident speakers and respectful listeners.
• Connecting Learning: Many questions link naturally across subjects — science, history, philosophy, and more.
• Fostering Independence: Pupils learn that it’s not always about finding the ‘answer’, but about exploring possibilities.

A Culture of Curiosity

At Barrowford, I Wonder Wednesday is a reminder that learning starts with a question. By engaging with Ian Gilbert’s thought-provoking prompts, we encourage our children to be reflective, inquisitive, and independent thinkers — qualities that will serve them throughout their lives.

Sometimes the best learning begins with the words “I wonder…”