Why?

When I was in 5th grade my teacher gave every child a certificate, some for high achievement, for helping, and for me I received the certificate for why. A few years ago I reflected on this memory and for the first time realized that perhaps my many curious questions may not have been welcomed by Ms. Mallory and thus that certificate was a not so subtle hint that my curiosity was a bit too much for her. When I was eleven I was proud of this certificate and as an adult I can say definitively that asking why and being curious is still a core part of my identity. I am still deeply committed to why’s, asking why or how something works, asking why someone feels strongly, and I believe that asking questions is at the root of all people’s creative curiosity.

Ms. Mallory may not have loved my questions but here at Acton we thrive and celebrate learners and their abundance of questions! Questions equal curiosity and curiosity leads to learning and a love for learning that in time leads to passion. A simple why can start a glorious ripple effect. Perhaps your learner is a why-er, a Questioneer like the beautiful series by Andrea Beaty and her delightful characters Iggy Peck, Architect, Ada Twist, Scientist, and more! Perhaps your learner is always asking many questions and perhaps, like Ms. Mallory, their questions are a bit much at times. At Acton, answers aren’t as important as questions. Questions mean you care to know more, questions are how you engage and dive into the realm of critical thinking and reasoning. This is why we use the socratic method at Acton. Questions engage our minds and hearts and often began the call to adventure!

A well known coach and Socratic teacher is Dr. Steven Tomlinson and he sat down with Acton co-founder Laura Sandefer for a fun question session. Here is an excerpt from their questioning of the socratic method at Acton.

S: Why use questions to teach?

L: A good question inspires learning.

S: But what is inspiration?

L: It’s the fusion of direction and motivation —and the energy released.

S: Where does direction come from?

L: Signs carefully placed by someone who has already explored the path.

S: And motivation?

L: From the joy of discovery and the desire to know and from the will to be both playful and powerful, like the teacher who asks questions before knowing the answers.

S: What makes a good question?

This week as learners began this session’s Debate Quest learners practiced engaging one another through a series of games. Perhaps they’ve shared, perhaps they didn’t, but a fan favorite game this week was If I ruled the world. How do you play? The game is simple, the first person completes the sentence “If I ruled the world ______”, then the second person simply asks “Why?” The first person must then provide reasoning for their idea. Why was this game so fun? Learners got to explore their imagination, there were no limits of their rule, plus hearing the curious questioner engage with “why” was adorable. Being curious was fun! Another gem was the game This versus That, ask your learner how to play, be curious!