Popsicle Stick Questioning

This strategy will help students to: 

• Know that they have time to think about and formulate their ideas before questions are answered in the class
• Build confidence when answering questions

Implementation:

1. Make a Popsicle Stick for each student by writing each name on a popsicle stick.  Use a cup or mug to hold the Popsicle Sticks for the entire class.
2. After posing a question to the class, draw a stick out of the cup. The person whose name or number you’ve drawn will answer the question.
3. After the student has answered the question, turn their popsicle stick with their name at the bottom of the cup so that you can eventually work your way through all of the students.

• As students are aware that you are going to use this method they tend to pay more attention knowing that they may get called upon, however, if a student cannot answer the question, they can conference with a peer who can provide them with prompts.
• Remember to use ‘wait time’, do not rush the student of 5 to 15 seconds.
• If you’d like a class set of popsicle sticks email mila.milenkovich@education.vic.gov.au with your request.
• This can be replicated using other items or an online name generator