Coaching Techniques: Listening
Coaching Techniques: Listening
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What does listening look like in Granite School District?
What does listening look like in Granite School District?
80% Listening 20% Talking
Active Listening - Being Fully Present
Research Connections
Research Connections
Jim Knight
Jim Knight
Contrast "Leading Questions" (advice disguised as a question) with "Real Questions" (questions where the coach is genuinely curious and doesn't know the answer).
Diane Sweeney
Diane Sweeney
Use questioning to uncover "Student Evidence." Questions should focus on the student work, not just the teacher's actions.
Elena Aguilar
Elena Aguilar
Resource Hub
Resource Hub
From Theory to Practice: How will you use this technique this week?
From Theory to Practice: How will you use this technique this week?
Are you asking "Real Questions"? To effectively prompt self-reflection (a key Granite technique), we must examine our intent. According to researcher Jim Knight, a "Real Question" is one where you genuinely do not know the answer.
The Trap: If you have a solution in mind and ask a question just to get the teacher to guess it (e.g., "Don't you think a timer would help?"), that is a Leading Question. It is advice disguised as curiosity.
The Goal: Real questions (e.g., "What do you think is impacting the pacing?") are driven by curiosity and respect, not a hidden agenda to fix or correct.
The "Question Makeover":
The "Question Makeover":
Below are three common Leading Questions. How would you rewrite them into Real Questions to spark genuine reflection?
Leading: Did you notice that the students in the back were off-task?
Leading: Did you notice that the students in the back were off-task?
Real: What did you observe regarding student engagement during independent work?
Leading: See how they all missed the capitalization? You should do a mini-lesson on that.
Real: What does this writing sample reveal about their current understanding of conventions versus content?
Leading: Do you think the test questions were just too confusing for them?
Leading: Do you think the test questions were just too confusing for them?
Real: When you look at the student errors, what patterns do you see between the instruction and the assessment results?
We are building a district-wide bank of "Real Questions" connected to the Granite Coaching Standards.
Step 1: Look at your upcoming coaching cycle.
Step 2: Draft one "Real Question" you plan to ask.
Step 3: Click the (+) button on the Padlet below to share it with your colleagues.
The resources above are curated to support your growth as an instructional coach by providing tools, strategies, and examples to strengthen your coaching practice.
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