Open-ended Math Talk Questions- “Questioning is a powerful instructional strategy.” Creating a classroom where students are able to effectively use math talk during a classroom discussion can be challenging. Many of our students do not know how to discuss their mathematical ideas and strategies using key math vocabulary and concepts. As teachers, we play an important role as we help students identify their thinking processes and build new knowledge by connecting to ideas and concepts that they already understand.
An article written by the Student Achievement Division of Ontario Schools offers eight strategies for asking effective questions:
1. Anticipate Student Thinking
2. Link to Learning Goals
3. Pose Open Questions
4. Pose Questions that Actually Need to Be Answered
5. Incorporate Verbs that Elicit Higher Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy
6. Pose Questions that Open Up the Conversation to Include Others
7. Keep Questions Neutral
8. Provide Wait Time
You can read more about these strategies and download the article here.