Asking Good Questions - 3
Continued Growth
Lesson Plan
Goal: When presented with a difficult task, the student will ask a clarifying question to assist in their understanding, in 8 out of 10 observable opportunities, as measured by a teacher assessment tool.
Objectives:
1. Identify the part of the task or assignment that is unclear.
2. Ask a clear and concise question related to the task/assignment.
3. Repeat the response you were given to your clarifying question.
Standards: Click on the appropriate link below to view Language Arts standards included in this lesson.
Definitions of Key Terms: The purpose of asking a good question is to gather information or solve a problem.
Discussion Points:
- What is the difference between a good question and a bad question?
- What is the purpose of asking questions?
- How can asking questions enhance a conversation?
- How can asking a question help you solve a problem or complete a task/assignment?
Discuss with students what it means to ask a good question and why it is important. Review the discussion point questions.
Possible activities to review the discussion points or use your own:
Think. Pair. Share: The teacher will pose questions related to the discussion points. Explain to students that the purpose of the activity is to think about the question and activate prior knowledge. The teacher will model the procedure to facilitate student understanding.
- T (Think): Teacher begins by asking a specific question using the discussion topics.
- P (Pair): Each student should be paired with another student, small group or work with a teacher. Pairs write brief answers on sticky notes or scrap paper.
- S (Share): Students share their thinking with their partner. Teacher then leads a whole-group conversation using students’ answers.
SEL Categories Activity:
- Ask students to create a list of words associated with the topic (give them 2-5 minutes to complete).
- Once time is up, ask each student to share a word or thought from their list.
- Other students must cross that word or thought off their list.
- Continue the process until all words or thoughts have been listed.
Directions for In-Person or Virtual Learning: You have three options for students to complete this lesson.
- Option 1: Print the Student Activity Sheet for each student. Complete the lesson as a group and assign the activity sheet to the students.
- Option 2: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and post to your Learning Management System (if your school has one) or send the link to the student. The student may complete the activity sheet electronically within the classroom on a shared computer or device.
- Option 3: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and send the link to the student. The student may access the link from a home computer, chromebook, iPad or other device.
Activity 1: Why Ask Questions?
Discuss with students why it is important to ask good questions. Discuss strategies for asking good questions. Record their answers on chart paper or the board.
- Chart paper or interactive board
Activity 2: Situations
Review the key points from Activity 1 with the students.
- Chart paper or interactive board
As a class, develop a list of situations when it is important to ask good questions. Be sure to discuss situations that involve school, home, and the community. Discuss the strategies from Activity 1 to be sure you are asking a good question.
Record the answers on the board or chart paper.
If time allows, pair the students and ask each pair to role play a situation from the list.
Activity 3: Personal Narrative
Review the key points from Activities 1 and 2 with the students. Share a personal story about a situation when you should have asked good questions, but did not. Share the outcome and what you would do differently in a similar situation.
- Student Activity Sheet A - 1 per person
- Pencil for each student
Allow students time to complete Student Activity Sheet A. Ask for volunteers to share their answers when all students have finished.
Student Activity Sheet A
Directions: Answer the question below.
Application Activity
Script Prompt: Develop a script and create an animation that includes two characters in a setting related to the problem. Use the script prompt provided below or create your own and include:
- Chart paper or interactive board
- Script sheet and pencil or word processor for each group
The dialogue between the characters must include:
- A demonstration of the ability to ask a good question.
Script Extensions: Click the following hyperlinks to have students choose their Characters, Background and Props prior to writing scripts. For examples of script writing accommodations, click Here.
Methods for completing this activity include (choose one or a few, depending on your students’ levels and abilities):
Script Writing Practice: Teacher-led discussion of script creation. As a group, write both an appropriate and inappropriate version of the script. In small groups or individually, have the students independently create scripts that demonstrate the script prompt. Use the script sheet to create students' scripts.
Independent Script Recording: Pair students together to complete two scripts using the same script prompt detailed above. Direct each student to take turns being character one and character two.
Animation Creation: Have students record their scripts using the SiLAS software. Remind students to name and save their work. Premiere the movies with the group members at the end of each session.
Lesson Extension: Incorporate ELA standards by discussing both spoken and written grammar rules (dialogue punctuation, correct verb tense, sentence structure, character, setting, problem, solution). Consider using both the final animation and written script as an ELA grade/assignment.
Topic Checkout
Review the key points from the previous activities and discussions with students. Allow students time to complete the Student Topic Checkout. Discuss their answers whenall students have finished.
- Student Topic Checkout - 1 per student
- A pencil for each student
Student Topic Checkout
Directions: Complete the following questions.