Step 3 of 12 - Ask, more than Tell

Ask, more than Tell

When we have the chance to choose between telling a student something, or asking them a question, we ask them a question. This encourages them to be more independent.

The third step is to use more questions than statements when speaking with the class.

As teachers, our biggest drawback is knowing the answers in advance. When the answers are in the room, our students can become lazy. Why should they think, reflect and come to their own answers when they know they can badger us into giving them up?

When we recall that all of our students are naturally curious, capable, creative and complete, we know that we can call on them to come up with something, an answer, a suggestion, a thought; that could lead the conversation further.

There is a difference between listening and waiting for your turn to speak. Simon Sinek

INVITATION to WRITE an ARTICLE for the 12 Steps Newsletter

During 2022 and 2023 I wrote about how I used coaching skills when I was a teacher.

In 2024, it is your turn to share the coaching skills you know and use in your classroom and school. Each month in the 12 Steps Newsletter , I will share one of my classroom experiences and feature one of yours.

Guidelines - Coaching in Class

Please write briefly, about 500 - 900 words about your experience of using coaching skills in your classroom. It could be about coaching yourself, your colleagues or your students.

If you need some guidelines, consider the following questions:

• How do you use this in your school / classroom?
• Include activities / strategies / general approach.
• What prompted you to do this?
• What results and benefits are you seeing?
• What have been some of the challenges and how did you overcome them?
• What have you learned from doing this?
• What suggestions would you like to share with other teachers?

Send to [email protected] before the end of the month.