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The LLL SIG Newsletter

Volume 6, Issue 2 [October, 2010]
 

Teaching Idea: Stimulating Conversation Using Question Sheets
Arthur Lauritsen

I like to open every class with a free talking question. Most of the time my students have a story to tell but I always keep a few dozen ideas for those slow times during the dog days of summer. An open free talking question often ends up weighing heavily on the T-S (teacher-student) side. T-S exchanges are not the most productive use of time because it leaves the other students as spectators. By designing and handing out a question sheet to all the students you can change the relationship of the conversation from a linear two person exchange (T-S) to a circular class conversation (S-S) where all the students can play a part. A question sheet is a list of 15 or so question stems. ‘How many times…” ‘Where do you….” “How long does it…” When the students have this question sheet in hand they feel more confident about asking question and they always understand in a subtle way that the relationship of the conversation has changed. Try this and you will be surprised by how well your students respond by jumping into and broadening the conversation.