#073: Why Asking Questions is an Important Skill for Your Students
Why is it that some students are asking questions ALL the time and some students can't think of a single question? It’s true across life really. Think about it…There are people who ask questions by the ton in your college classes – in teacher meetings, at conferences – they are unafraid of looking stupid or of being the only one who doesn’t understand, but they aren’t. They’re just the brave ones asking the questions that most everyone else has. They’re also the ones who can take what they’ve learned and apply it effectively faster than anyone else. They don’t fumble around with it so much because they already have clarity and the information is remembered [from asking questions as they were learning].
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“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
– Albert Einstein
The benefits of asking questions make us realize what an important skill asking good questions is.
Asking good questions:
- Makes students more aware of their thinking and gives them control over their thinking.
- Aides in memory and retention of the learning.
- Gives students the ability to apply knowledge [transfer].
- Deeper understanding
- Employ + grow critical thinking skills
- Better decision making
- Build a connection with others – rapport
- Makes you more curious – mindset + thoughtful
- Engages students in the learning on a different level giving them the ability to produce better work later on.
Listen in.
Asking questions is not always as easy as we think it is. Students are often overwhelmed by the content and cannot sort out what they are confused about. This makes it hard to even form a question. It's the "you don't know what you don't know" syndrome. We have to become aware of our thinking in order for form questions.
Essentially, when we teach asking questions, we’re teaching our students how to think about their thinking. Metacognition in its beginning stages. I know that sounds daunting, but here’s how to get started.
Begin with LISTENING. Model by reading– waiting a minute…then ask yourself out loud what did I just hear/read? If students don’t know how to listen to what is being read and to their own thoughts, they cannot go forward.
Listen in to the full episode to find out:
- How to set up your students for success.
- Why you need to provide question frames for your students.
- What kinds of questions students should be asking.
- How asking questions can be practiced throughout your school day.
- The types of books you can use to teach your students to ask effective questions.
Listen in to this episode for all the goodness [and don't forget to grab the free guide].
I can't wait for you to get started!
H.O.P.E. Education RESOURCES WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD:
Grab the free Asking Questions Guide.
Check out the FREEBIEs Vault here or sign up for a free trial of Literacy Success Lab for K-2 teachers to grab the plans and see what you think.
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Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizers
CVC Listen and Spell Book Cards Bundle
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