The 4 Questions

The 4 Questions were introduced to me by Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser. They are used to guide student’s towards self-regulated learning. They also help educators focus on what learners are actually experiencing with their learning. The four questions are as so:

  1. Can you name two people in this school/setting who believe that you can be a success in life?
  2. Where are you going with your learning? (What is important about what you are learning?)
  3. How are you doing with your learning?
  4. Where are you going next with your learning?

The first question about the two people (adults) in the school who believe that the child will be a success is critically important to building confidence and connections. In order for student to have a growth mindset in which they believe they can succeed, they must have people around them who also believe this. Having two (or more) adults that a student feels safe with provides them with the space they need to struggle and be ok with that.

One goal of our classroom this year is to have student’s be reflective and self-regulated in their learning. I hope that if these questions were asked at home every student could tell their parents at least one important thing they have learned, how they personally are doing with it and what their plan is for future learning.

As the year goes on I will post some examples of students reflecting on these 4 questions.