Question is an essential element in all teaching procedures. It is the key to all educative activities. It leads the class to move progressively in the direction or realization of the lesson. The teacher on the other hand, should have a clear understanding on how to stimulate, direct, guide, and encourage the learner through the art of questioning. The teacher should have a technical knowledge of the approved mechanics of questioning. The teacher, must, likewise, know how to handle responses to questions to the best advantage of the class. The teacher must have the ability to frame questions skilfully. The following key points to good questions are recommended to help the teacher.

1. Questions must be carefully planned.

           Questions to be asked should be planned in advance. The utmost care in the formulation of questions is necessary to ensure that ideas are clearly conveyed from teacher to pupils. They should be formulated carefully with congruency or direct relation to the objectives of the lesson. Carefully prepared questions are prerequisite to effective teaching- learning situations. They serve as teacher’s guide.

 2. Questions must be brief and direct.     

          Simple questions can be easily understood by the pupils. Simple questions require being brief and direct . This leads for easy concentration of thought to pupils of varying degrees of intelligence. Brief and direct questions also avoid waste of time—-which means less time to state and also less to interpret them.

3. Questions must be adapted to the ability and experience of the pupils.

         The ability, interest, experience, and maturity of the pupils must be considered in giving questions to promote profitable reflection and thinking. The degree of comprehension attained by every individual pupil should be, as well , taken into consideration .

4. Questions must be free from the wording of the textbook.

        The effectiveness of the questions require being free from the language of the textbook to stimulate thinking and reasoning power of the pupils. Questions that are apart from the text will promote independence of thought and study on the side of the pupils. Thought- provoking questions will stimulate reflection and encourage favourable expression . Avoid “ yes and no “ answer to questions. They do not stimulate thought.

5. Questions must allow logical order.

         Question given in logical order develops wholeness of the lesson. It establishes relationship between facts or points. It leads better organization bridging the gap from point to point.

6. Questions should be of varying difficulty.     

        Beginning question should be easy enough to stimulate the interest of the pupil. As the recitation progresses, the more difficult question should be given. The HOTS ( Higher Order Thinking Scheme ) stimulates the thinking and reasoning skills of the pupil .

By: Teodora T. Quezon | Teacher III | Bilolo Elementary School | Orion, Bataan