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Learning how to ask deep questions that help us learn more about a topic.
Imagine you found a locked treasure chest. You have two keys: one only opens the lid an inch, but the other swings it wide open so you can see everything inside. Which key would you choose?
In the world of thinking, there are two main types of questions. Closed questions are like light switches—they are either 'on' or 'off.' They usually have a one-word answer like 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Blue.' For example, 'Is it raining?' is a closed question. Open questions are like flashlights. They help you explore and see things you didn't notice before. They usually start with words like How, Why, or What if. Instead of a one-word answer, they invite a story or an explanation. If a closed question gives you a bit of information, an open question can give you bits!
Let's turn a closed question into an open one to get more information. 1. Closed Question: 'Do you like this book?' (Answer: Yes/No) 2. Identify the Goal: We want to know why they like it. 3. Open Question: 'What is your favorite part of this story and why?'
Quick Check
Is the question 'What time is it?' an open or closed question?
Answer
It is a closed question because it has one specific, short answer.
Think of your brain as a builder. To build a tall tower of knowledge, you need the right tools. Questions are the shovels and hammers of the mind. When we ask a deep question, we aren't just looking for an answer; we are actually stretching our brains. This is called inquiry. By asking 'How does this work?' or 'Why is this important?', we connect new ideas to things we already know. It's like building a bridge between two islands in your mind. The more bridges you build, the stronger your 'Thinking Island' becomes!
Imagine there is a heavy, cold, metallic cube on your desk. 1. Observation: It is cold and heavy. 2. Closed Question: 'Is it made of iron?' 3. Open Question (Thinking Tool): 'How might this object have been used years ago?' 4. Result: This second question makes you imagine history, tools, and people, rather than just naming a metal.
Quick Check
Why are open questions called 'tools for thinking'?
Answer
Because they help us explore ideas, connect information, and stretch our brains instead of just finding a quick fact.
The most powerful tool in your kit is the 'What If' question. This is a special type of open question that uses your imagination. Scientists and philosophers use this to solve problems before they even happen. If you have number of problems, asking 'What if?' can help you find solutions! It allows you to travel to the future or into different worlds. When you ask 'What if cars could breathe?', you aren't just being silly—you are practicing creative logic.
Let's use a 'What If' question to think about fairness. 1. Scenario: There is only one cupcake left for two friends. 2. Closed Question: 'Can I have it?' 3. Open Question: 'How can we divide this so it is fair for both of us?' 4. Challenge Question: 'What if the rules of fairness changed so that the hungriest person always got more? Would that be better or worse?'
Which of these is the best example of an OPEN question?
If a closed question is like a light switch, an open question is like a:
Asking 'What if?' is a way to use your imagination as a thinking tool.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to remember the three 'magic words' that usually start an open question (How, Why, What if).
Practice Activity
During dinner tonight, try to ask one 'Open Question' to someone in your family instead of a 'Closed Question.' See if the conversation lasts longer!