Good Questions

Question 1

mathematical discourse

Answer 1

more than just talking about math, it is a set of tools and practices that make both the learners’ and teachers’ learning visible; how students talk about math relates in part to what they understand about math

Question 2

productive struggle

Answer 2

challenges, struggle that helps students grow in their understanding of math

Question 3

closed questions

Answer 3

require simple answer or response from memory

Question 4

open questions

Answer 4

require students to think deeply and give response that involves more than basic recall or reproducing a skill

Question 5

Does the following meet the criteria for a good question? Why or why not?

I have some marbles. I give some away to my friends and am left with 3. How many marbles might I have started with, and how many might I have given away?

Answer 5

Yes! Requires mathematical reasoning, and there is more than one right answer

Question 6

Why ask good questions?

Answer 6

they develop students’ higher level of thinking, constructing deeper mathematical reasoning.

Question 7

How to create a good question?

Answer 7

1) Work backward
2) Modifying a standard question

Question 8

How to work backward to create a good question

Answer 8

1) identify a topic
2) think of a closed question + write down the answer
3) make up a question that includes (or addresses) the answer

Question 9

How to modify a standard question to create a good question

Answer 9

1) identify a topic
2) think of a standard question
3) modify it to make a good question