Recently, I’ve been experimenting with a questioning structure that goes beyond the usual retrieval practice with Cold Calling or Think Pair Share and it’s yielding great results.
Take today’s session on comedy lazzi, for example. I kicked things off with the statement:
“Even the funniest play needs a plan.”
Here’s what we did next:
- Solo Thinking: Students had to come up with two points for and two against the statement. Cue a room full of furrowed brows.
- Paired Debate: In pairs, they then debated their points and had to agree on one solid argument for each side. This step really got them engaging critically and negotiating ideas.
- Whole-Class Discussion: We opened up the floor, and I used cold calling to invite students to share their ideas. The goal here wasn’t to catch anyone off guard, it was to encourage active listening and readiness to respond. I then bounced points between students, asking them to build on or challenge what their peers had said, which kept the conversation dynamic and collaborative.
The result? A lively debate about the value of planning comedy, how much structure is needed to make humour land, and when too much planning might kill the funny. Students weren’t just recalling ideas; they were analysing, synthesising, and articulating more complex arguments.
This combines Pose Pause Pounce Bounce with Think Pair Share but pushes it further. It’s not just about participation, it’s about fostering deeper thinking.
I’ve been exploring this with coaches and colleagues recently and I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has helped me think deeper about this through discussion.
If you’re looking for a way to shake up classroom conversations, and haven’t done this already, give this a try.
If you have any other hybrid questioning strategies. Layered and encouraging deeper thinking, pop in the comments.
