Thinking to Infinity and Beyond
One would think that questioning would be easy for a child because as they begin to explore the world they're living in, all they want to do is ask questions! When my daughter Sophia was 2 years old, I remember thinking when is she going to stop asking questions?! At home, in the car, at a family gathering, at the grocery store, going to bed... you get the idea, she was asking questions everywhere! There were times I wanted to stop answering her questions because I wanted to move on with my daily duties, but then realized she was being inquisitive to acquire more knowledge as she also learned how to start and maintain conversations. Don't stop your kids from asking questions.
A child that questions is learning!
Recently, I was reading an interesting Mindshift Article from KQED.org that was written about four years ago. The research found that student engagement along with questioning was dropping at an alarming rate. The article stated, "It doesn't help that in many classrooms, there is little encouragement-and almost no teaching of questioning." Then went on to Tony Wagner's (an expert in residence at Harvard's Innovation Lab) findings, reporting that in his observation of classrooms, the message from teachers was, "We don't have time for student questions-because that will take time away from the number of answers I have to cover." The article also discussed the idea, as kids get older they learn more and feel less of a need to ask questions, especially in fear of asking a "dumb" question and not being the "cool" thing to do.
Recently, I was reading an interesting Mindshift Article from KQED.org that was written about four years ago. The research found that student engagement along with questioning was dropping at an alarming rate. The article stated, "It doesn't help that in many classrooms, there is little encouragement-and almost no teaching of questioning." Then went on to Tony Wagner's (an expert in residence at Harvard's Innovation Lab) findings, reporting that in his observation of classrooms, the message from teachers was, "We don't have time for student questions-because that will take time away from the number of answers I have to cover." The article also discussed the idea, as kids get older they learn more and feel less of a need to ask questions, especially in fear of asking a "dumb" question and not being the "cool" thing to do.
I understand time is our enemy. I feel it is our life's enemy in general. I, personally, don't want to take time to a lot of things throughout my days to enjoy watching every minute of watching my babies grow up. Then as time goes by, I realize that if I don't do the "other" things, whatever they may be, I am not allowing for full fulfillment in our lives. The reality is that there will never be enough time in a day, in a week, in a month, or in the years to cover everything we need to. Focus on the most important concepts and you will see, how things just seem to fall into place. It's never going to be perfect, but you will feel good with the outcomes.
"The most important thing is to never stop questioning"
~Albert Enstein
If you have tried Collaborative Conversations and Kagan Strategies, but still have a quiet class that seems to have no motivation to get engaged, try these next steps to get your class going on critical thinking skills that will leave them ready to share out with peers.
- Remind Students that their Home Classroom is a Safe Learning Environment-mistakes are celebrated because they are avenues to new learning!
- Display the Quote- "Mistakes are Proof That You Are Trying" ~Jennifer Lim, even if you don't say it on a daily basis, they will see it to be reminded of it.
- Wonder Wall/Parking Lot- Students can write a question they have on their mind (pertaining to their learning) to be answered at a later time.
- Answer Board- The Teacher will write an answer in the middle of a circle thinking map and students will write questions (pertaining to that answer), on the outside of the circle map.
- End of Day Reflection- Students can write a reflection with a question and can come up with a couple of answers (for homework) to continue the thinking process!
What if I give this a try? Don't put a stop to a question, instead encourage students to ask more questions, making it the "cool" thing to do. Yes, it make take a little more time throughout the day, but you will be a Happy Teacher when you begin to see the thinking flourish. Remember, questioning is essential for the critical thinking process to occur in your classroom. As students think more critically, they will begin to ask higher level questions that will deepen their knowledge of the content being presented. Students will be engaged and want to have the collaborative conversations to discuss new learning. Now you're teaching little learners that will be leading others to think to infinity and beyond.
Live, Love, Teach
Hilda Sanchez
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