A Pedagogy of Surprise: Exploring Gifts, Wonder, and Gratitude in Curricular Settings

By: Keith W. Brown

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Synopsis: Combines theory and practice to inspire teachers to embrace a sense of surprise in their classrooms.What would your classroom be like if you could see it as something surprising, novel, and fresh in every moment? What are the unique gifts that students and teachers alike bring to classrooms? Through a combination of robust theory, in-depth scholarship, and practical exercises for teachers, A Pedagogy of Surprise is a vital resource that allows teachers to explore how they can bring a sense of wonder, surprise, and gratitude into their experiences of the classroom. It will delight and inspire anyone with an interest in using contemplation, mindfulness, and reflection to enhance teacher wellness. Topics include how a phenomenology of surprise can inform and enhance the teaching and curricular experience, the gift economy as applied to the classroom, the meaning and scope of gratitude practices in curricular settings, and applications of surprise, gifts, and gratitude to teaching. The final chapter includes inspiring visualizations that teachers of any grade can apply to feel more gifted, surprised, and connected within their classroom milieu.