Thinking & Questioning: Skills for Meaningful Learning
I wonder if teachers know how powerful their words can be. If words are used correctly, they guide the students to a greater sense of empowerment, curiosity, togetherness, and accomplishment. On the other hand words can discourage, breakdown, and embarrass. Educators need to use every aspect of the classroom environment to model and scaffold inquisitive minds both individually as well as a group.
Common core is forcing our kids to take learning to another level. They need to be able to explain the process not just stumble through it. Extended response on ISAT has sent many children into a sad state when they see the two pages of lined paper after the math problem. Teachers need to set the standard from day one of school. The classroom needs to be a safe environment to be questioned and to allow questioning. If the teacher models low, intermediate and high levels of questioning the children will pick up on it quickly. In the curriculum opportunities for various types of questioning including: analytic, clarifying, convergent, cueing, divergent, evaluative, focus, and probing need to be woven throughout. This is so important because is helps the students grow individually and as a class. It aids in:
- class management
- curriculum development
- special education issues
- student attitude/morale
- cognitive abilities
- study habits
- mediation
- general, personal growth
- and so much more
This chapter really highlights the detailed work a teacher encounters everyday. The importance of shaping a child's thinking is the larger blanket that covers more detailed responsibilities. How questions are phrased, where the child is in their question/answer process, what they do and do not understand, the consistency in the teaching/learning processes across the class, etc... It is a job to be respected and never taken for granted.
I agree. Teachers' words are more powerful than they realize. I still remember things that my teachers have said to me over the years, both positive and negative. I also agree that it is good that common core is making students explain things more in different subjects. Like you stated about explaining things in math, I learned from my Math for Elementary Teachers 1 and 2, it is difficult sometimes to explain your math problem and how you got that answer but that it helps you so much in the long run.
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