explore · Reflection, Knowledge Sharing, Ideation · 15–40 min · 2-30 people · low energy

I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

Small groups look closely at one thing outdoors (a tree, a patch of ground, a building) and say their observations out loud using three prompts: 'I notice...', 'I wonder...', 'It reminds me of...'. Others listen and build on what they hear. Short sketches or notes in a journal help people keep what they found.

When to use I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

Use as a warm-up for observation-based work, such as site visits or design research, or as a short outdoor reset that gets people curious again.

What it solves

Teams jump from a quick look to a conclusion and never get to the questions that would change their thinking.

How to run I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of, step by step

  1. Introduce the three prompts and why speaking them aloud helps memory (3 min).
  2. In pairs or threes, choose one thing to observe (2 min).
  3. 'I notice': take turns saying everything you can see, hear, smell, feel (5-10 min).
  4. 'I wonder': ask as many questions as you can, without answering them (5 min).
  5. 'It reminds me of': make connections to other things, memories or your work (5 min).
  6. Share the most interesting observation, question and connection with the whole group (5-10 min).

Materials needed

  • Notebooks or journals
  • Pencils
  • Optional: hand lenses, clipboards

Facilitator tips

  • Keep the prompts visible on a card so groups keep using them.
  • Make the 'I wonder' round about quantity; questions without answers are fine.
  • Choose a spot reachable for everyone and offer seating; close observation does not need a hike.

Common pitfalls

  • People skip straight to 'it reminds me of' and lose the careful noticing.
  • The facilitator answers the 'I wonder' questions, which shuts down curiosity.

Variations

  • Use the prompts on a user, a prototype or a workplace instead of nature.

Running it online or hybrid

Works with any object or view on camera; people take turns saying their prompts aloud.

What it produces

A page of observations, questions and connections per person or group, with the best questions marked for follow-up.

Origin

Three observation prompts used throughout naturalist and educator John Muir Laws' teaching and his book How to Teach Nature Journaling. — source

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