Starr Sackstein - The Power of Questioning: Opening up the World of Student Inquiry

Praise for The Power of Questioning

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 nations 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 andmore 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. Jeffrey Zoul, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, Deerfield Public Schools District 109, Deerfield, Illinois

In The Power of Questioning, outstanding teacher and blogger Starr Sackstein shows the way for beginning and veteran teachers to use better questioning techniques to get their students all the way to better self-understanding and productive research. She leverages a great explanation of Bloom's Taxonomy to show how teachers can better use open-ended questions to explore their external world and engage in metacognition. She does this with real examples from other outstanding teachers in a way that should inspire teachers, principals, and parents alike. Although Starr teaches English and journalism, her advice is also aimed a teachers from other content areas. Dr. Doug Green, retired principal; consultant; blogger

Starr Sackstein has pinpointed the single highest leverage move a teacher can make to empower students in their learning, and in this book, provides the practical, classroom tested tools we need to do it. Ariel Sacks, middle school English language arts teacher, author of Whole Novels For the Whole Class

The Power of Questioning by Starr Sackstein takes a look at the place of questioning in classrooms today from a fresh point of view on promoting student inquiry. The flow of the book leads readers from background knowledge on Blooms Taxonomy to the art of questioning as a mechanism for student exploration and discovery of content that is clearly understandable. A noteworthy feature of the book, self-reflective questions, are pivotally positioned allowing for pausing to ponder the significance of the material presented. The insertion of positive teacher anecdotes provides insight into classroom practices that strengthen the premise, effective questioning inspires deeper learning and meaning making. The book is thoughtfully presented leading educators to value the practice of questioning as a stepping stone to students' deeper reflection and understanding of knowledge of the world. The Power of Questioning is more than another text on the nuances of questioning. It is a compilation of ideas strengthening the purpose for effective teaching that empowers students to become questioners of their own learning. It is a call to action to create avid and passionate learners who take risks while searching for their identity as curious learners on the road to discovery. If we are to create learners that question then we must understand how to scaffold the steps to lead them there. This book allows teachers to question their practice in order to provide next steps for students to grow as learners.Carol Varsalona, ELA consultant; co-moderator of #NYEDChat

For far too long, classrooms have been teacher-centric environments, where education is something done to students and not something students help drive. In this book, Sackstein identifies ways to give the classroom back to the students, through creating a culture of innovation, asking the right types of questions, and utilizing technology as a tool to accelerate authentic learning. Quite often the love of learning is schooled right out of students in a traditional environment, yet Sackstein offers ways to combat the traditional approach and help empower students to ultimately take charge of their own learning. Thomas C. Murray, State and District Digital Learning Director, Alliance for Excellent Education, Center for Digital Learning

The Power of Questioning

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD

Lanham Boulder New York London

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ISBN 978-1-4758-2141-3 (cloth : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-4758-2142-0 (paper : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-4758-2143-7 (electronic)

TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

For the many questions that fill a childs mind, Im encouraged to share that wonder with all students and continue to reconnect them with their earlier curiosity. Each day, my son Logan now 10, reminds me of the boundless edge of possibility and why we need to continue to seek out both the answerable and unanswerable. His sense of knowing inspires me, as he continues to probe me to continue to grow.

It is with great gratitude that I watch my son discover the world as it pushes me to make the classroom I create with my students more open to awe. My role as mother has prepared me to support the wonderful variety of learners that grace our shared space each day. Through their wonderful questions I continue to progress as well.

And to the amazing teachers I have had over the years who always allowed me to meander off the path in my own direction. Whether it was my art teacher, who let me cast my body in plaster while others safely drew still-lives or my English teachers who engaged me in conversation about my writing and literature.

In recent years, Joey Goodman, my partner and technology guru has always humored my many questions and has supported me in my journey. He studiously seeks to find me answers and more impressively has taught me where to look to do it on my own.

Its not without help that any person gets to fulfill a dream, and for that Im grateful. Peter DeWitt has been a great supporter of my work, and it is because of his belief in what I do that I was placed in the position to write as I do. It is because of my connection to him that I first accepted my blog on Education Week Teacher, and through that blog I had the opportunity to write this book.

This book would not have happened without great friends and admired colleagues who contributed to its completion. Im greatly appreciative to Mark Barnes for agreeing to write the foreword and to share his expertise with my readers.