Building a Curious School

Restore the Joy That Brought You to School
Bryan Goodwin - President and CEO of McREL
Building a Curious School
March 2020 | 224 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781071802120
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071813928
Available from January 0001

Description

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


Contents

Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL

Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL

Part I: Getting Curious About Curiosity

Part I: Getting Curious About Curiosity

Chapter 1: What is This Funny Little Thing Called Curiosity?

Chapter 1: What is This Funny Little Thing Called Curiosity?

Chapter 2: Are We Naturally Curious?

Chapter 2: Are We Naturally Curious?

Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Curiosity

Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Curiosity

Part II: Curiosity in Classrooms

Part II: Curiosity in Classrooms

Chapter 4: Quashing Curiosity

Chapter 4: Quashing Curiosity

Chapter 5: Engineered Boredom

Chapter 5: Engineered Boredom

Chapter 6: Reengineering Learning with Curiosity in Mind

Chapter 6: Reengineering Learning with Curiosity in Mind

Chapter 7: When Teams Lose Their Curiosity

Chapter 7: When Teams Lose Their Curiosity

Part III: Curiosity in School Communities

Part III: Curiosity in School Communities

Chapter 8: Inquire Within

Chapter 8: Inquire Within

Chapter 9: Creating Curious Organizations

Chapter 9: Creating Curious Organizations

Part IV: Curious at Heart

Part IV: Curious at Heart

Chapter 10: Alone Together

Chapter 10: Alone Together

Chapter 11: Going Cold Turkey

Chapter 11: Going Cold Turkey

Chapter 12: Falling In Love With Curiosity

Chapter 12: Falling In Love With Curiosity

Part V: Curious for Good

Part V: Curious for Good

Chapter 13: The Search for Happiness

Chapter 13: The Search for Happiness

Chapter 14: Curiously Happy

Chapter 14: Curiously Happy

Chapter 15: A Wonderful Life

Chapter 15: A Wonderful Life

Epilogue: Standing at a Curious Crossroads

Epilogue: Standing at a Curious Crossroads

Description

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


Contents

Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL

Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL

Part I: Getting Curious About Curiosity

Part I: Getting Curious About Curiosity

Chapter 1: What is This Funny Little Thing Called Curiosity?

Chapter 1: What is This Funny Little Thing Called Curiosity?

Chapter 2: Are We Naturally Curious?

Chapter 2: Are We Naturally Curious?

Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Curiosity

Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Curiosity

Part II: Curiosity in Classrooms

Part II: Curiosity in Classrooms

Chapter 4: Quashing Curiosity

Chapter 4: Quashing Curiosity

Chapter 5: Engineered Boredom

Chapter 5: Engineered Boredom

Chapter 6: Reengineering Learning with Curiosity in Mind

Chapter 6: Reengineering Learning with Curiosity in Mind

Chapter 7: When Teams Lose Their Curiosity

Chapter 7: When Teams Lose Their Curiosity

Part III: Curiosity in School Communities

Part III: Curiosity in School Communities

Chapter 8: Inquire Within

Chapter 8: Inquire Within

Chapter 9: Creating Curious Organizations

Chapter 9: Creating Curious Organizations

Part IV: Curious at Heart

Part IV: Curious at Heart

Chapter 10: Alone Together

Chapter 10: Alone Together

Chapter 11: Going Cold Turkey

Chapter 11: Going Cold Turkey

Chapter 12: Falling In Love With Curiosity

Chapter 12: Falling In Love With Curiosity

Part V: Curious for Good

Part V: Curious for Good

Chapter 13: The Search for Happiness

Chapter 13: The Search for Happiness

Chapter 14: Curiously Happy

Chapter 14: Curiously Happy

Chapter 15: A Wonderful Life

Chapter 15: A Wonderful Life

Epilogue: Standing at a Curious Crossroads

Epilogue: Standing at a Curious Crossroads

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Building a Curious School

Restore the Joy That Brought You to School


March 2020 | 224 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781071813928 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781071802120 $35.00

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



Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Salome Thomas-EL
  • Part I: Getting Curious About Curiosity
  • Chapter 1: What is This Funny Little Thing Called Curiosity?
  • Chapter 2: Are We Naturally Curious?
  • Chapter 3: This Is Your Brain on Curiosity
  • Part II: Curiosity in Classrooms
  • Chapter 4: Quashing Curiosity
  • Chapter 5: Engineered Boredom
  • Chapter 6: Reengineering Learning with Curiosity in Mind
  • Chapter 7: When Teams Lose Their Curiosity
  • Part III: Curiosity in School Communities
  • Chapter 8: Inquire Within
  • Chapter 9: Creating Curious Organizations
  • Part IV: Curious at Heart
  • Chapter 10: Alone Together
  • Chapter 11: Going Cold Turkey
  • Chapter 12: Falling In Love With Curiosity
  • Part V: Curious for Good
  • Chapter 13: The Search for Happiness
  • Chapter 14: Curiously Happy
  • Chapter 15: A Wonderful Life
  • Epilogue: Standing at a Curious Crossroads

Recent Product Reviews:

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.
Robert J. Marzano, Co-founder and CAO, Marzano Resources, Co-founder and Strategic Advisor, Marzano Research
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.
Lyn Sharratt, Internship Supervisor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
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.
Harvey Silver, Education Coach and Consultant, Co-founder of Silver Strong & Associates, Co-author of The Core Six, The Strategic Teacher, and Tools for a Successful School Year
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.
Jay Westover, Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer, InnovateEd, Author, Districts on the Move
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!
Pete Hall, President, Strive Success Solutions

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