The Power of Questions

Activity #1 Conversation of Statements Did you notice that we didn’t ask any questions? How would asking questions change the conversation? What do questions get you? Why are they important?

Activity #2 Back to Back Part 1 All students will need a partner, a piece of paper, and a pen/pencil. The partner with the longest hair will be #1, shortest hair will be #2 Stand back to back with your partner. Partner #2 will face the back of the room, and Partner #1 will face the whiteboard. As a web leader is drawing a picture, Partner #2 will try to draw it while Partner #1 describes it. PARTNER #2 MAY NOT LOOK AT THE BOARD OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS!

Activity #2 Back to Back Part 1 Partner #2-How successful were you in drawing an accurate picture? Give yourself a grade! Partner #1- Did you notice it was hard to get them to draw the picture? What made it hard?

Activity #3 Back to Back Part 2 Stand back to back with your partner again. Partner #1 will face the back of the room! As a web leader is drawing a picture, Partner #1 will try to draw it while Partner #2 describes it. This time, Partner #1 can ask questions.

Activity #3 Back to Back Part 2 Did you notice it was easier since you could ask questions? Why? Why not? Since this picture was harder to draw, how important was it to be able to ask questions? Why? Do you think you need to ask better questions the harder the challenge is? Does school get harder each year? Does that mean you need to ask better and better questions all the time?

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 1 There is a candy bar hidden in the room! We are going to try to find it without getting out of our seats. You are only allowed to ask questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”. For Example: “Is the candy bar in the teacher’s desk?” We will keep track of how many questions you ask!

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 1 Make this “t” chart on the other side of your paper: CLOSED OPEN

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 1 Closed questions don’t give you much information. Write down some of the closed questions that were asked in this activity in the “closed” column. CLOSED OPEN Yes or no answers

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 1 Open questions will give you more information. What are some questions you could ask if there was another candy bar in the room? Write them down in the “open” column. CLOSED OPEN Yes or no answers More information

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 2 There is another candy bar in the room! This time, you will be asking open ended questions to try to find it! Do not use questions that can only be answered with “yes” or “no”! You cannot ask “Where is the candy bar?” We will keep track of how many questions you ask!

Activity #4 You have A-S-K to G-E-T Part 2 Do you think it’s important to ask certain question depending on what you want to know? In what situation do you think you would want to ask open ended questions? What are the benefits of asking open ended questions? How do you ask really good questions?

Activity #5 Talk Show Interview With your partner, you will conduct a talk show interview During this interview, your goal is to ask the best questions possible! Since you want to get the most information, ask open ended questions! After one minute, you will switch roles. Partner #1 will be the interviewer first while Partner #2 is answering questions. How many of you feel that you know your partner a little better?