Getting children to THINK and answer QUESTIONS is a key to instruction. You can integrate these strategies throughout your day every day!
SL.K.2. Confirm understanding of a text read
aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and
answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something
is not understood.
Me Too! Teach children sign language for “me
too!” (Extend thumb and pinky
finger and place the middle three fingers on your palm as you point your thumb
toward your chest.) Tell children
when you are reading a book they can use the sign to let you know they’ve had a
similar experience.
Don’t
Understand – Children can use this sign when something is not clear to
them. Put your index finger next
to your brain and wiggle it like you are turning on a light as you shake your
head “no.”
Walk About
– Select key points from a text.
Tell the children if they agree to go to one side of the room. If they don’t agree they should walk to
the other side of the room.
Discuss the answer with their group and choose a spokes person to report
on their consensus.
Survey Says
– Use a group summary to answer questions by having children raise their hands
or stand up.
Fingers Up
– Children use their fingers to indicate answers to questions with one being
the least and five being the most.
For example: “Show me
on your fingers how you liked this story.”
Stump the
Teacher – Let children ask the teacher questions. Can they stump the teacher?
SL.K.3. Ask and answer questions in order to
seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
Pick Me Sticks
– Write children’s names in the middle of jumbo craft sticks. Color one end of the stick green and
the opposite end red. Place the
sticks in a cup with the green end up.
When you ask a question, pull a stick and that child gets to answer. Turn their stick so the red end is up
when you put it back in the can.
When all the sticks have been called, turn them over and start again.
*There's also a cool app called Stick Pick that enables you to randomly call on students and offers questions relating to Bloom's taxonomy.
Question of
the Day – Write a
question on the board each day.
Start with simple “yes” or “no” questions where children write their
name. Add more choices as the year
continues.
Hint! Write children’s names on index cards
and attach a strip of magnetic tape to the back so they can place it by their
response to the question.
