Question of the WeekQuestion of the Week

What is an What is an Open QuestionOpen Question and how is it used as a and how is it used as a

scaffold for mathematical scaffold for mathematical instruction?instruction?

Open Question:Open Question:

A single question or task that is A single question or task that is inclusive not only in allowing for inclusive not only in allowing for different students to approach it by different students to approach it by using different processes or using different processes or strategies,but also in allowing for strategies,but also in allowing for students at different stages of students at different stages of mathematical development to benefit mathematical development to benefit and grow form attention to the task. and grow form attention to the task.

Examples:Examples:

Question 1 To which fact family does the Question 1 To which fact family does the fact 3x4 = 12 belong?fact 3x4 = 12 belong?

Question 2 Describe the picture below by Question 2 Describe the picture below by using a mathematical equation.using a mathematical equation.

X X X XX X X X X X X XX X X X X X X XX X X X

Strategies for Creating Strategies for Creating Open Open QuestionsQuestions

Turning around a question.Turning around a question. Asking for similarities and Asking for similarities and

differences.differences. Replacing a number with a blank.Replacing a number with a blank. Asking for a number sentence.Asking for a number sentence. Changing the question.Changing the question.

What to avoid in an What to avoid in an Open QuestionOpen Question

An open question should be An open question should be mathematically meaningful. mathematically meaningful.

Open questions need just the right Open questions need just the right amount of ambiguity. amount of ambiguity.

An open question that is too specific An open question that is too specific may target a narrow level of may target a narrow level of understanding and not allow understanding and not allow students who are not at that level to students who are not at that level to engage with the questions and engage with the questions and experience success. experience success.

Follow up DiscussionFollow up Discussion

Follow up discussions play a Follow up discussions play a significant role in cementing learning significant role in cementing learning and building confidence in students. and building confidence in students. Make sure that those students who are Make sure that those students who are

more likely to have standard answers more likely to have standard answers are called on first. are called on first.

Convey messages that a varity of Convey messages that a varity of answers are appreciated. answers are appreciated.

Try to build connections between Try to build connections between answers that students provide. answers that students provide.

Adapted from:Adapted from:

Good QuestionsGood Questions

Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction

Marian Small - 2009Marian Small - 2009