"Ask!"
That's been the primary focus of my classroom teaching this year, and my students have become very good at asking for help when they need it. Family members are asking too.
Now I'm working a bit more on helping students ask questions with greater detail and focus--the better the question, the greater the chance you'll get the answer you're looking for.
Sometimes it is challenging to answer all the questions posed due to time and numbers, but having the availability of email and our class social network provides families and children with a venue to ask questions with 24-7, and families and students in my class access that venue when needed and not to excess.
Historically some have viewed asking questions as evidence of weakness or ignorance. Instead today, I tell students that asking questions is a sign of intelligence and care.
The simple tool of asking questions when you have a need or don't understand is the most important tool in a child's learning tool box--a tool we can encourage and respond to each and every day.
Note:
Boston Sunday's Globe article, "Just Ask" supports this post and provides many resources related to it.
