Justifying Answers
- "Why?" "How?" and "What are you thinking?" are valuable questions. Ask these questions often and follow up with time for children to explain their reasoning.
- Use open-ended questions to begin discussions.
- Encourage children to explain their thinking in their own words and encourage them to give a rationale for their response: " I did this because … ." You want children to become risk-takers in their thinking.
- On a large sheet of paper, write a list of questions that children should ask themselves as they work through problems. Post it for all to use.
- Provide hints rather than solutions as children work. Also be a good listener, instead of giving immediate evaluation. You want to encourage children to tell their ideas.
- There are different ways of solving a problem. Encourage children to figure it out the way they want, but ask them to explain why they did it that way.
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