INIWIRMO & Curiosity Mindset

My students bustle into the fourth grade classroom after lunch recess, rosy-cheeked and breathing heavily. As some settle in, they notice large letters on the board: INIWIRMO.

“Inny-WORM-oh?! What’s that?” they ask, with confused expressions.

“You’ll see,” I say.

When I learned at the end of summer that our school would begin live streaming our classes to the students enrolled in online learning, I immediately wondered what I would do with our Extra Lesson periods (formerly called “Skills” periods). My original plan was to get us all outside as much as possible. I also wanted to find something to engage my students joining us from home, and wanted it to be something that would engage all types of learners.

What’s more, I sought an activity that would foster a curiosity mindset.

Over the summer, I was asked this question: What is one quality that can help anyone become both a better learner and heal many of the social problems of our time? My answer… Curiosity.

Little did I know at the time that there is a name for this quality (curiosity mindset). Nor was I aware of the many studies showing the incredible benefits of cultivating curiosity. As Einstein once said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” He also said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.”

It’s impossible for us to know everything, and things are always changing. But we can learn to be curious, and know how to ask the questions that lead us to consider new ideas.

A curious mind is…

A beginner’s mind
Open to and seeks new and unusual ways of doing things.

Asks questions, listens, and observes
Seeks first to understand, not to explain.

Tries new things
Takes different routes to work, read books in genres usually avoided, each of these activities opens one’s mind to new points of view.

Inquisitive
Asks others their opinions, perspectives, and their approaches to certain things. Everyone does things a bit differently, and there are potential new answers and solutions to problems hidden in other people’s thinking.

A curious mind also creates connections and deeper meaning, increases perseverance and motivation, always holds possibility, promotes collaboration, and is less sensitive to rejection and less susceptible to daily social rejection experiences.

Which activity could foster a curiosity mindset AND meet all of my other requirements?

Nature journaling!

Hence, our very first lesson… INIWIRMO, an acronym that names a simple exploration routine which promotes discovery and wonder, and helps students learn observation and fundamental inquiry skills:

I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

I Notice
Focuses our attention and helps us articulate and remember our observations.

I Wonder
Sparks inquiry and invites us to question deeply and broadly.

It Reminds Me Of
Leads us to connect what we observe to what we already know, which builds stronger memories.

Before introducing this routine, we all went outside — online students too — with the assignment to gather something from nature that would fit in the palm of one’s hand, and met back in the classroom. For each step of the process, I asked the students to work with a partner, taking turns speaking and listening with their “I notice…” observations, then their “I wonder…” comments (which are really questions), and finally, their “It reminds me off…” reflections. The ability to make useful connections between seemingly unrelated things is an important aspect of creativity, and practicing “It reminds me of” builds this skill.

There was so much enthusiasm in the room, and every type of learner was engaged. I am looking forward to this week’s first nature journal entry, in which the students will use INIWIRMO to challenge another person to find their secret plant. Together, these prompts can change the way we experience the world, and they can really be used in a practice for learning about anything, academic or otherwise.

I’m very excited to see where it takes our class!

Curious about a Waldorf education for your child? Let’s connect!

Marlis Sandwith completed her life-changing Waldorf K-8 teaching certification at Sound Circle Center in 2005. In addition to teaching and being involved in education in various capacities, active in several non-profits and public service positions, most recently she concluded a several-year career as a real estate broker on Orcas Island. She has always maintained a strong connection to anthroposophy via study groups, workshops and festival life.

Marlis’ most exciting and beloved work is with children, so she is thrilled to be the class teacher of the Class of 2026.