Asking Questions

Impacting Quality of Responses Wait time Clarity Placement Calling on children in different ways Thought level

Wait Time Increasing wait time increases number and quality of responses. Three second average 15 seconds is best

Clarity Ask specific question, then stop talking.

Avoid Unclear Questions What about elephants?

Avoid Asking Series of Questions What do tigers eat? Do they eat plants? Would you find one attacking another tiger to eat it?

Placement of Questions Before reading—to comprehend specific information During reading—to focus After reading—for general comprehension

Methods of Calling on Children Solitary response (Jim, what is the date?) Controlled response (What is the date, Jim?) Uncontrolled response (What is the date?) Mass response (What is the date, class?)

Thought Level Literal Interpretive Application

Literal Read the lines. “Does he love me?”

Interpretation Read between the lines “Did he kiss me like he loves me?”

Improving Questioning Wait time Clarity Placement Calling on children Thought level

Application Read beyond the lines. “Will he ask me to marry him?” —