Encouraging Deeper Thinking

Have you been frustrated with the level of thinking and questioning your students are producing?  Do you give them countless opportunities for deeper conversations only to have your students keep the discussion at the surface level?

Try using an exemplar.  Many times, students have never had experience with developing their own deep questions or engaging in higher level conversations.  They may not even know what that should look or sound like.  By giving them an example, you are providing a model for them to emulate.  By providing a range of examples, you are asking them to evaluate the variety of responses to see what a “good” answer looks like compared to a “great” answer.

Students will usually resist greater depth and complexity at first.  After all, level 1 and 2 DOK questions are much easier than level 3 and 4 questions.  Be persistent – they will eventually get better which will make it easier for them.