In the beginning…

• What do you know?

• What do you need to find out?

• How might you begin?

• What should you do first?

While working...

• How can you organize your information?

• Can you make a drawing to explain your thinking?

• What would happen if…?

• What do you need to do next?

• Do you see any patterns? Any relationships?

• Can you predict what would happen if…?

• Does this remind you of any other problems you’ve done?

Reflecting on solutions/answers...

• Is your solution/answer reasonable?

• How did you arrive at your solution/answer?

• Can you convince me that your solution/answer makes sense?

• What did you try that didn't work?

Responding...

Your response is as important as your initial question. Continue to discuss problems even after your children have found their answer. This will give your child a chance to clarify their thinking and make more connections.

You can ask...

• How do you know that your answer makes sense?

• Do you know another way to solve/answer this question/problem?

• Do you think there is more than one answer? How could we find out?