On The Fly

Grade School Smithfield, Illinois You’ve just finished one of your best presentations yet and you triumphantly close with, “Are there any questions?” What’s the usual response? That’s what I thought — nothing. You’re looking at blank faces and vacant stares! Questions are your best teaching tool. Timely questions from your audience can “turn the light on” for a struggling student. So you say, “No questions? OK, let’s move on to the next subject.” You know this question is a sure way to silence a group, is this your intention? If not, try the following: Say to the group, “You have 30 seconds to turn to your neighbor and tell that person one question you still have about what you just learned.” Wait 30 seconds then say, “Would one or two of you share with the whole group the question your partner asked?” Or give it a twist: Instead of having your students come up with questions, write a question for all to see about what you just presented and have them pair up and...