To develop interest and motivate students to become actively involved in lessons (anticipatory set)
To evaluate students' preparation and check on homework or completion of task
To develop critical thinking skills and inquiring attitudes
To review and summarize previous lessons
To nurture insights by exposing new relationships
To assess achievement of instructional goals and objectives (check for understanding)
To stimulate students to pursue knowledge on their own (inquiry)
Adapted from: Northwest Regional Laboratory, School Improvement Research Series
Cotton, K. (2013).
Self-Questioning Taxonomy: (handouts w/CCSS)
Use as think alouds (model for students expert thinking)—especially with complex texts
Provide opportunities for students to practice thinking by asking these discipline-specific questions.
Permeate classroom activities in written tasks
Guide assessment of student understanding of content concepts and topics.