Instructional Minute
October 11, 2022
October 3, 2023
Using Questions to Help Students Elaborate on Content
Questions can do more than measure what students know. Appropriately challenging, engaging, and effective questions stimulate peer discussion and encourage students to explore and refine their understanding of key concepts.
A few resources:
- A great article with the "why" and some techniques/strategies to use: Using Effective Questions Article
- Question Starters using Bloom's Taxonomy (document attached below)
- Evaluation Flipbook with ALL elements (attached below)
A Winning Combination: Questioning with Cold Calls
What does this look like in the classroom?
The teacher nearly always selects who should respond next by name. No hands up; no calling out – it could be anyone. This is the norm. Students all anticipate being asked to respond, sharing their thoughts; everyone mentally prepares an answer to every question in readiness for being selected. They are all involved. Nobody dominates. Over time, everyone contributes. Questions are addressed to the whole class followed by a pause and then…. Michael, what were you thinking? Dominique, what answer did you get? Shafiq, how did you explain it? Thinking is required from everyone; everyone is included.
Great Article on Cold Calling
Cold Call Technique in 2nd Grade Classroom
Cold Call Technique in 7th Grade Classroom
Workshop Model Lesson Plan Form to Assist in Planning Lessons
A resource to use as you see fit.