Questioning 

How to ask the appropriate question

I’ve been very busy this week. Starting my new job has left me just about overwhelmed. There are so many things to do, think about like how I’m going to set up my classroom, how we are going to decorate it, procedures for the classroom. I’ve even been thinking about what I’m supposed to be thinking about, because I’m still not even that sure. I’m trying to stay committed to writing something everyday. But I wanted to write something about a topic that I think will help me as a teacher. Questioning.

Questioning is obviously important for both my students and myself. Its important for my students because I want them to be life long learners. A life long learner is one who explores their environment, who actively engaged in their learning, views learning as infinite, and is completely curious. I want my students to be so eager to ask me why, or ask questions, and want to find answers to their questions. As a teacher I want to model these things for my students. I want to help set up a foundation for their thinking pattern to be curious learners. I want to help them explore not just Yes or No questions, or straight knowledge questions where someone has to recall information. For me this means that I have to critically think and dig deeper when I am asking them questions.

I recently researched questioning, and how to ask a good question. Here are the things that make a deep question

1. Open ended- Ask questions that begin with Why, What, How, Where, When. Do not use just yes or no questions. These questions will help you get as much information as possible. (Sometimes Closed ended questions are necessary it jus depends on the situation)
2. Explain your misunderstanding….State what you know…..State what you don’t know/understand.
3. Be confident
4. Do your research before hand

I think if I begin to do things as I’m studying teacher pedagogy, I will be able to model good questioning for my students. I have also been researching how to model good questioning while reading. I’ve been most successful on Pinterest under the theme First Grade Readers Workshop.

http://www.pinterest.com/swanie59/first-grade-readers-workshop/