CREATIVE QUESTIONING DIFFERENTIATING & SUPPORTING GIFTEDNESS THROUGH THOUGHTFUL USE OF QUESTIONING IN THE CLASSROOM

CONSIDERING THE QUESTIONS WE’VE CREATED IN OUR OWN CLASSROOMS & THE CLASSROOMS WE’VE EXPERIENCED AS STUDENTS Think of a recent classroom experience (anywhere, in your own classroom, or a memorable moment from your past educational experiences and think of the questions that were asked by the teacher…any form of questions. Write down 2-3 questions that were most memorable and/or common.

WHY DO TEACHERS ASK QUESTIONS? determine students’ knowledge provide a review of material prepare the students motivate check for comprehension develop critical & creative thinking skills teach inquiry Negative reasons attract attention embarrass a student?

FRAMEWORKS FOR QUESTIONING ask questions after students have a common knowledge base to handle the material sequence questioning in response to the students’ readiness levels ask questions that stimulate evaluative thinking ask questions as the students to hypothesize

FRAMEWORKS FOR QUESTIONING offer verbal and non-verbal reinforcement reward the students’ act of responding, NOT the response vary approaches to asking questions who asks the question in your class? how much wait time do you allow your students to formulate their responses?

FRAMEWORKS FOR QUESTIONING Encourage all responses-probe for more stay with the student who is formulating his/her ideas rephrase the question assist the student through reflective listening LISTEN. Really listen.

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER How many possible responses are there to the questions you ask? How do you most typically use questions in the classroom? How do you frame your questions for students to deeply express their knowledge, thoughts, and experiences?

ENCOURAGING CLASS DISCUSSION Consider classes in which the students really listen to one another & respond to one another. Consider – what are the frameworks within this classroom that make this possible? How are the students positioned to respond to one another?

GROUP WORK In a group of your choice, please share your recollections of your teachers’ questions Of the memorable questions you culled as a group – what do you notice?