We’ve been doing a lot of lateral thinking puzzles over school-day breakfasts. It’s a fun way to get the mind rolling and to think outside the proverbial box.
Whenever someone is stumped, I remind them: “There’s no penalty for questions.” The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to find the the right road to follow to discover the correct answer. Puzzling in silence sometimes brings you the answer, but asking question after question always brings you to the right answer.
Since there’s no penalty for questions, ask yourself these ones:
Am I asking as many questions as I need to to get to the right solution?
Am I penalizing others for asking me questions? If so, why?
How can I create an environment where my students honestly feel there is no penalty for questions?