Power of Questioning

Starr Sackstein, Nationally Board certified teacher puts students in charge of the learning. Author, blogger and constant learner, Sackstein is invested in creating a world where questions don’t have to be answered, they just need to be explored with the understanding that anything is possible.

The Power of Questioning is an important book that I enthusiastically recommend to all teachers. This short and highly readable book tackles one of the most pressing topics related to teaching and learning and is written by a practicing teacher who is simply one of our nation's foremost thinkers on the topic. In this excellent book, Starr Sackstein examines why we need to focus with intention on the questions we ask of students and—more importantly—how we inspire them to become curious learners with a questioning mindset. Starr's book is filled with practical strategies and anecdotes showing how we can transform our practice in this core area of instruction, moving from traditional, rote questions and answers to rigorous, engaging, interactive inquiry. I can think of no book on this topic more compelling than The Power of Questioning nor an author/practitioner more equipped to share her insights with educators wishing to enhance their teaching—and their students' learning—through the use of intentional questioning techniques. This book is a must read for all educators.

• DedicationForeword-Mark BarnesAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Setting the Stage for Inquiry and Self-ExplorationLetting Go of ControlCreating a Culture of LearningLearning is More than Being RightEmpowering Students Through Learning ConversationsChapter 2: Understanding Bloom’s Taxonomy When Teaching Questioning SkillsWhat is Bloom’s Taxonomy?How can Bloom’s Taxonomy be used as a Framework for Teaching Questioning?Chapter 2 Additional ResourcesChapter 3: Dissecting QuestionsHow Can We Break Apart Questions for a Deeper Understanding of What is Being Asked?Why Should Students be Able to Dissect Questions to Further Learning?How Can These Skills be Applied to Classes Across Content to Deepen Learning?Chapter 4: Building QuestionsConceiving Questions to Map Authentic LearningOpened/Closed Questions for Surveying Material vs. Acquiring Depth of KnowledgeBuilding Questions for Investigative Reporting - Fishbowl ActivityJournalism in Context Chapter 5: Applying Questioning Skills to Content LearningDeeper Learning Happens When Students are Questioning ContentUsing Search Engines to Apply Questioning for ContentSocratic Seminars as a Classroom Study Using Google Classroom to Elicit Discussion Chapter 6: Discovering Self Through QuestioningThe Questions People Ask About Themselves and Their EnvironmentsWhat Do the Questions We Ask Say About Who We Are?How Can We Harness Interest to Engage Students?Using Reflection Questions to Dig Deeper into Ourselves and LearningChapter 7: Encouraging Continued Exploration and ConversationWhere Does the Research Generate?Teaching Students to Question the Sources They FindChapter 7 Additional ResourcesFinal ThoughtsAbout the Author