Use questioning clearly and positively. Know what you want the students to learn or what aspect of the learning you want to develop through questioning. Plan questions prior to the lesson and note them in your lesson plan. Ask questions at suitable times during the lesson to check progress.
Ask a variety of question types. Use closed questions to test comprehension and retention of important facts and materials. For example, after reading a story ask "Who was the main character?" which requires a specific answer. Ask open-ended questions to encourage discussion and active learning. Use a sequence of questions to build depth and knowledge. For example, after sharing a ghost story ask "How did the author create a frightening atmosphere?" and follow this with questions asking for specific evidence from the story.
Wait a suitable amount of time for an answer, giving students time to think. Wait at least fifteen seconds. Let students consider the question and be confident enough to answer.
Build confidence by allowing students to rehearse responses. Encourage a student to try an answer out in his head if he is unsure or to try it out on a partner and then in a larger group. Model this behavior by thinking out loud before coming up with an answer; show students how to organize their thoughts before arriving at a response.
Withhold judgment. Respond in a non-evaluative fashion. Do not say whether a student is right or wrong but ask other students to respond to what the student has said. Invite students to elaborate and develop the points that have been made, challenging them to provide reasons for their ideas.
Don't interrupt. If you think your student is on the wrong track, give her some time to reach the end of her answer, listening carefully so that you can work out where she has gone wrong. Ask a follow-up question to enable her to rethink her answer.
Show interest in your student's answer. Nod, make eye contact, smile, use facial expressions that show you are interested in what your student is saying and that you are listening. Use follow-up questions to develop an answer and to show that you have been paying attention to your student's ideas and opinions.