Just Answer the Question Already
I know that’s what your students think. Sometimes they think to themselves, “Why won’t he answer my question?” or some similar thought. I can see the frustration in their eyes. Your students’ brows furrow before looking back at their papers to suss out answers. School is getting harder and students often try to use me as their first defense. If students encounter a question they don’t immediately know the answer to, hands go up to get my attention.
If I’m not answering their questions, what am I doing? Here is my general approach to student questions.
1. I ensure students read the material/question. You might be surprised at how seldom students read directions, read the supporting material, or read the questions before asking for help.
2. I ensure students understand the words in the question. Sometimes student confusion results from not knowing a word in the question. If a question mentions croquet (just as an example), I may have to explain what croquet is to alleviate student confusion.
3. I begin to ask the student questions like:
1. What do you think it means?
2. Where do you think you can find out the answer?
3. Was there something that we did earlier that will help?
4. Where have you looked already to try to answer the question?
5. I may ask about resources for students to find help.
6. Specific content related questions that will help the students help themselves.
7. Only if all other measures fail and I truly believe that the student cannot arrive at the answer, will I give more direct help.
This can be a frustrating process for students. Some students aren’t used to struggling academically and they look for ways to quickly alleviate the stress that struggles bring. I believe that appropriate levels of struggle are important instructional and developmental tools.
Why do I think struggle benefits students instructionally?
1. Students remember information that they construct on their own, more than they will remember answers given to them.
2. Students, hopefully, learn the value of reading to learn.
3. Students practice review and research skills as they work toward answers.
4. Students practice working through struggle with their peers as they discuss, and debate, answers/solutions.
5. Students learn to successfully complete relatively easier assignments as independently as possible so when assignment complexity increases students have less difficulty.
Why do I think struggle benefits students developmentally?
1. Students begin to realize that they are more capable than they previously believed.
2. Student confidence grows as they successfully navigate and conquer struggle.
3. Student resiliency builds with each success.
Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding this or any other aspect of class.