As you facilitate lessons, you use a variety of questions to help you better understand student thinking. Here are a few tips for maintaining the cognitive demand of the task while making the most of those questioning moments.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Immediately commenting or asking questions when joining a group | Observing group interactions before asking questions or making comments |
| Assuming what a student is thinking | Asking questions to gain a better understanding of student thinking |
| Providing comments on student work before talking to the students | Allowing opportunities for students to provide insights into their thinking and use of vocabulary by asking students to explain their thinking before commenting |
| Assuming all students are entering the lesson with limited knowledge or vocabulary | Using additional questioning to learn more about what a student's prior knowledge is |
Observing and Questioning Groups in the Classroom
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