My happiest moments teaching
are when I am asking questions
that I don’t know the answers to.
It provides a sense of exploration.
And with exploration comes the potential for discovery, for surprise.
Discovery is exciting. Surprise is exciting.
One way that I am often surprised when I ask questions to which I do not know the answer, is by the person who provides an answer. If I know the answer, I am pretty sure my high achieving students also know the answer.
However, if I don’t know an answer, I don’t know who has one.
I find that often, answers can come from children who don’t usually speak.
This surprises me.
It often surprises them.
And, it can surprise their classmates.
Therefore, these surprises not only expand thinking, they challenge perceptions.
I like to find ways for students to join the conversation. It’s important to me.
When I ask questions I don’t know the answers to, it allows me to do this.
Discovery is exciting. Surprise is exciting.
Excitement engages my students.
Excitement engages me.
Engagement equals learning.
When I’m learning then I know my students are learning.
Trevor