How to Ask Great Questions in Class Discussions

Getting students to talk in class is really important, especially for 9th graders. One great way to do this is by helping them learn how to ask good questions. Here are some simple tips to make their question-asking skills better:

1. Start with Open-Ended Questions

Encourage students to ask questions that need more than just a “yes” or “no” answer.

Open-ended questions can lead to deeper conversations.

For example:

• Instead of asking, "Did you like the book?" they could ask, "What parts of the book stood out to you and why?"

2. Use the "3 Ws" Technique

Teach students to focus on who, what, and why. This can help them make better questions.

For example:

• Who: "Who do you think is the most interesting character, and what makes them special?"
• What: "What are the main ideas in the story?"
• Why: "Why do you think the author chose to set the story in a specific place?"

3. Encourage Personal Connections

Linking questions to their own experiences can make discussions more fun and engaging.

For example:

• "How does this character’s struggle connect to something we’ve dealt with in our own lives?"

4. Explore Different Perspectives

Get students to think about different points of view by asking questions that help them see things in various ways.

For example:

• "How do different characters feel about the main problem in the story, and what does this tell us about what they value?"

5. Foster a "What If" Mindset

Encouraging students to think about "what if" situations can spark creativity and imagination.

For instance:

• "What if the story happened today? How would that change what the characters do?"

By using these tips, 9th graders can ask questions that not only help them understand better but also make class discussions more interesting. When they feel confident about their questioning skills, they will be more willing to join in the conversation. This will help them improve their speaking and listening skills overall.