Do you remember a time when you were in school and you had to answer “I don’t know” to a question? I’m sure I said it many times, but one particular instance stands out. I was in French class my sophomore year of high school, and a guest speaker asked me a question—in French. I had absolutely no idea what he had asked me, and I certainly couldn’t think up enough French to talk my way out of the situation. So I said, “I don’t know.” Maybe I could have saved face if I had said it in French, but no, I said it in English. Il était embarrassant! (Yeah. I had to look that up on the Google translator. I’m not any better at French now than I was back then.)
As a teacher, “I don’t know” was an answer that drove me crazy for another reason. It meant that the child wasn’t attempting to answer the question at all, plus it might have been an indicator that the child wasn’t listening to begin with.
To make both students and teachers feel better about “I don’t know,” I want to share this handy little chart I found on Pinterest the other day. What a cool way to give that child who doesn’t know the answer a few options. The child saves face, and the teacher avoids frustration.
Très bien!
I like that chart! I also hold my students accountable for whatever reason they answer with “I don’t know” (they weren’t listening, reluctant to answer in fear of it being incorrect, or they truly don’t know). I do this by asking another student to help them out and after the other student answers, I go back to the initial student who “didn’t know” and ask the question again. This way they had another opportunity to hear the information and are still held accountable for knowing it and answering the question. I won’t give them an easy out and I want them to learn what I’m teaching. Quick, easy, effective for me. 🙂
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching