Five ways to phrase questions to engage all students

Inspired by five weekends in August ... weekend edition ... sharing five fives on Saturday this month to celebrate #MTBoSBlaugust!

How can you phrase questions to engage all students in participating in class?  Here are five ideas ... 



Be specific about waiting:  "Don't raise your hand; I want everyone to have time to think about this!  Be ready to explain your process in 57 seconds ... setting the timer now for think time!"   

Choose a few students to share their work:  "Take a minute to visualize this problem.  Can you write or sketch a possible [solution, example, counterexample]?  As I walk around the room, I'm going to select 3 students to share their work with the class."

Encourage more than one correct answer:  "Create an example to support this [problem, statement, scenario] and write it down.  In a minute we will share examples to see how many ways the [problem, statement, scenario] can be supported."

Check individual work:  "Put the next step on your whiteboard; be ready to explain why this step is necessary. I'll take a tour of the room to see your work; I may ask you to share your reasoning."  

Encourage sharing:  "Stop and jot down your thoughts on this problem.  In a minute you are going to share your ideas with your partner."