California Subject Matter Project (CSMP)
California Science Project
In this video, Dr. Susan Hawkins introduces the impactful instructional practice of asking open-ended questions. This approach encourages deeper thinking among students by placing value on their ideas and fostering their capacity to build knowledge.
Robin Walker, an educator from the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, shares the “Did You Know That..?” activity, a powerful tool for connecting with students from second grade to high school. In this simple exercise, students write freely in small notebooks, sharing thoughts, concerns, or experiences. The teacher responds, fostering open communication and building trust. It’s about giving students a voice and nurturing meaningful connections in the classroom.
Kyle Dimla, a high school environmental science and
biology teacher, shares how he generates engagement and discussion in the classroom by asking small questions and using the see, think, and wonder framework.
Learn how to use the “Guided Inquiry” process as an engaging way to introduce a new topic and promote higher-level thinking with students.
Celia De La Loza, TK-5 teacher at Valencia Academy of the Arts, tells us how to apply the simple “Fist to 3” strategy to help teachers quickly gauge student understanding across any content area or activity.
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