Curriculum Planning

Comparing Closed- and Open-Ended Questions

Closed-Ended Questions

Open-Ended Questions

Usually has right or wrong answers

Have several correct answers

Often requires one-or two- word responses

Cannot be answered with a yes or no response; encourages multiword responses; allows children to participate more fully in conversations

Seeks information

Seeks reasoning

Focuses on naming

Focuses on problem solving and thinking

Teachers usually know the answer

Teachers are unaware of what a child might say

Reference:

Herr, J. (2008). Working with Young children: Teachers Resource Guide. Tinley Park, ILL: The Goodheart-

Willcox Company Pg. 213.

Decide if the following questions are closed or open ended questions.

Did you like the book?

Was Maria (the main character in the book) happy?

Did you ever feel like Maria?

What color is her coat?

What would you like to share about the story?

How did Maria choose the color red to paint the chair?

Did you like the story?

What did you like about the story?

What would happen if…..?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want children to think/inquire, you will ask open ended

questions and give children enough time to think and answer.

Reason: “How do you know?” “What would happen if?” “How

could we find out?”

Notice details: “What do you see (hear, smell, feel)? “I wonder

why clouds are moving so quickly?”

Make comparisons: “How are they the same/different?”

Come to conclusions: “What would happen if…” “Why do you

suppose that is happening?”