Inquiry: Crafting Questions that Spark Deep Thinking
Instructor: Mónica Naranjo
This workshop is designed for elementary teachers who want to explore the art and science of crafting powerful questions that ignite curiosity, foster student agency, and promote conceptual thinking across the curriculum. Throughout the four sessions, participants will analyze what makes questions effective, learn to develop essential questions that drive learning, implement strategies for student-generated questioning, and collaborate on refining questioning techniques. Teachers will leave with practical tools to transform their questioning practice and create a classroom environment where deep thinking thrives through the power of well-crafted questions.
Course information
For school leaders and teachers
Duration: 4 hours
4 sessions
Live peer-to-peer learning
The methodology
Teachers will learn in small groups of 2-5 colleagues, meeting once a week for 4 weeks. Sessions are 1.5 hours and can be in-person or online.
Course syllabus
Session 1: The Power of a Good Question
- • Unpack the characteristics of questions that lead to rich inquiry
- • Explore how open-ended, conceptual and provocative questions engage young learners
- • Analyze how effective questions support meaningful, connected learning across subject areas
Session 2: Questions that Drive Learning
- • Dive into how essential and supporting questions can shape learning experiences
- • Learn techniques for crafting questions that promote critical thinking
- • Analyze examples and craft questions aligned with curriculum learning goals
Session 3: Questions in Action
- • Explore strategies to embed student-driven questioning into everyday classroom practice
- • Practice tools and routines that nurture students' ability to generate questions
- • Develop techniques to help students refine their own questions for deeper learning
The methodology
Teachers will learn in small groups of 2-5 colleagues, meeting once a week for 4 weeks. Sessions are 1.5 hours and can be in-person or online.
For school leaders and teachers
Duration: 4 hours
4 sessions
Live peer-to-peer learning