Inclusion
Use questions that build or decline in gradient to ensure
that everyone has an opportunity to participate.
Example: "HMOY have a baby in
your family? ( a few) HMOY have ever been the babysitter for
a baby? ( a few more) How many of you have ever seen a
baby?" (everybody)
Rapport
Use questions to make connections with and within the
audience.
Example: "HMOY like pizza? I
like it too. (Connection from teacher to student)
HMOY like pepperoni pizza?
Wow...look at that...you and you both like pepperoni pizza.
(Connection amongst students)
Validation
Ask a question and then take the opportunity to acknowledge
those that respond. This shows that you will positively
support participation.
Example: "HMOY made it here
early today? Give those three people a big hand."
VAK Interaction
Use modality language to access all three of the primary
learning channels.
Example: "HMOY saw the
movie....?" (Visual)
"HMOY can remember the key quote in that scene? or what song
was playing when...?" (Auditory)
"HMOY felt scared during the movie? HMOY felt motivated to
go and take action after the movie?" (Kinesthetic)
Ask vs. Tell
Use questions to ask questions instead of telling
information.
Example: "If you read the
book last night you know that the war began in 1812." (
Telling)
"HMOY read the book last
night? HMOY can remember in what year the war began?"
(Asking will get more enrollment and students will be able
to contribute.)
Arms Up
When you ask a question, role model by putting your arm up.
This will engage the visuals who are attracted to motion and
the kinesthetics who are looking for an excuse to mover
their bodies.
Avoid Yes or No Questions
Asking yes or no questions will give negative students an
opportunity to kill the energy in the learning environment.
Example: "Are you excited to
be here today?" If a student yells out NO, then the students
will look to see how you handle it. If you don't, or handle
it by giving that student negative attention, you are losing
energy.
Instead ask, "HMOY are
excited to be here today? HMOY know what we are going to do
today? HMOY have no idea? HMOY would like to know?"
With this method, students
will see and feel learning momentum by the sheer volume of
hands being raised. Negative students will learn that
positive participation is the way to get attention in this
classroom.
Key Starting Phrases
Use simple and consistent language to start your questions.
Great starting phrases are:
How many of you...? (HMOY)
Who here has....?
Raise your hand if...
Who can tell me...?
Who can show me...?
By a show of hands...
Enrolling Questions is an
unnatural way of communicating. It will take some practice.
HMOY can complete this phrase, "Practice makes ..........?"
