Asking Why? is a critical step in getting students to explain their thinking and give reasons for their thoughts and opinions.
Initially you will need to do it a lot.
However, after a period of time, something magical starts to happen. Your pupils realise you are interested in their reasoning, and they begin to voluntarily offer explanations.
The three stages of Why?
When I observe talk in schools there are usually three stages:
Student responses are very short, often one word only. Teachers don’t ask for reasons; I don’t hear Why?
Teachers ask Why? a lot. Their lessons are peppered with Why?, and similar phrases: Why do you you think that? Tell us your reason. Please can you explain that a bit more. Students start to talk more, prompted by their teachers.
Students offer explanations without being prompted. They know they are expected to give reasons, and they consistently explain. The word because is part of their everyday vocabulary.
Which stage are you at?
