Asking Meaningful Questions

“If we teach our students to inquire, we will have a wealth of information from which to teach and our students will have a purpose for learning.”  – Cris Tovani

Centuries ago Socrates told his students that “wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”  Today we find ourselves in a culture that seems to value the quick answer and often views questioning as a sign of weakness.  As educators, we know that the ability to ask the right question at the right time is a sign of thought – not ignorance.  It shows that the student is making connections to prior knowledge and knows that there is more information that is needed to fill in the gaps.  So, how do we create a class culture that sparks curiosity, leads students to inquiry, and builds deeper conceptual understanding?  We teach students to ask meaningful questions.

In Building Mathematical Comprehension, Laney Sammons tells us,”creating an environment that spurs student curiosity about mathematics and teaches them how to generate mathematics-related questions increases student motivation, mathematical understanding, and problem-solving ability.”  Teacher modeling is an indispensable tool for showing children how to ask meaningful questions and for promoting a class climate that encourages inquiry.  As we think-aloud, we demonstrate the process of reasoning and how to dig deeper by using pertinent questions.  Students hear the mathematical thought and language, see strategies develop, and then watch as they are applied.

Laney suggests introducing the comprehension strategy of asking questions during small group sessions.  These small groups are safe places to share information, practice asking thoughtful questions, or simply ask for help.  Students who are often quiet during whole group settings are more apt to speak up in smaller numbers.  These small group strategy sessions allow the teacher to differentiate the strategies taught while monitoring for understanding.  Students have the opportunity to communicate and practice generating meaningful questions that will build their understanding.

Questioning and learning belong together.  Our students are filled with questions and we can help them sort and refine them.  Irrelevant questions can derail our students from the task at hand, but a strategic question can lead to better problem solving and deeper understanding.   Socrates said “Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the lighting of a flame.”  We want to be catalysts that inspire thinking and promote a lifelong desire to learn.  Teaching our students to ask meaningful questions is time well spent.  The ability to ask quality questions leads to discovery and this is an indispensable tool in the learner’s toolbox.

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