STRATEGY FOCUS
Brief Response to Challenge
PURPOSE
The Brief Response to Challenge strategy gives students the opportunity to share problems or dilemmas and to help each other problem-solve. Students practice their listening skills by paraphrasing back to the presenter. Students also practice creating and asking good questions as they help each other in solving the challenge.
PROCESS
- Direct students to identify a challenge they are having – a problem or unanswered question about the content and assign them to groups of 3 or 4. Select one person to present his/her challenge or questions to the group.
- Explain that each student, one at a time, will take a turn at helping the presenter think through the problem by paraphrasing and then posing clarifying and probing questions.
- Allow the presenter a chance to summarize what they heard and respond to questions before the next student begins paraphrasing and questioning.
- Repeat the process with each student until all have gotten the opportunity to share their challenge/problem.
- Share out any unsolved problems or unanswered questions with the whole group for the benefit of collective problem-solving.
- Debrief the process.
PROBING QUESTIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
- What was the most difficult part of this experience?
- What does this question make you think about?
- What different perspective might you be able to take?
- Use a timer (5-7 minutes) per round of presenting and then paraphrasing and questioning. This helps students to stay focused on the challenge being presented and allows time for all to participate.
- Create a list of question starters for students to use until they can create questions on their own.
- Discuss that the goal is to paraphrase and question in order to help the presenter determine his/her own answers. The goal is not to provide examples of previous experiences or solutions.
- Give students opportunities to practice paraphrasing before using this strategy.
- Using classroom Norms will help students be successful as they work collaboratively through this process.
CONTENT APPLICATIONS
SCIENCE
Students share questions they have about a solution they are designing to address a problem or a model they are developing to explain a phenomenon.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Students present a position from an historic event.
MATHEMATICS
Students explain how they worked the next step in a formula or an equation.
CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Students present the challenges they are having in building a storage unit according to specifications and attempt to help each other find solutions.
Sources