Leading Discussions with Focus Questions and Conversation Extenders. When it comes to creating meaningful student answers, teachers need to change the way they ask their questions and teach students how to properly bounce off one another effectively. Creating opportunities for open discourse is encouraged, BUT all discussions students have should be guided with a focus question (their learning target) AND conversation starters / extendards. Students need to be taught HOW to properly collaborate and generate questions themselves. 

Here is a quote I thought summed it up well:

“Our students must see questioning as a productive way to contribute to classroom dialogue and, most important, as a mind tool for learning.”

 Too often teachers get into the mindset that students will not be able to answer questions unless otherwise prompted, or their responses might not be relevant. We need to NOT follow those two bullet points but allow the students to think, and then engage at their own pace.

●      Once a student determines the correct one they can go ahead and break down the components of the formulas

●      Try to solve the one I give them

●      Have students create an example to challenge peers