by Micah Jacobson and Mari Ruddy

Looking for a practical, no-nonsense guide to leading and teaching experience based reflection? Look no further. In this easy to read, and easy to use book, Mari and Micah present a simple, yet highly effective learning cycle model. The 5 Questions Model takes the essential elements of classic learning cycle debriefing and presents them in such a way that they can be quickly understood, used, and taught to a wide variety of skill levels. Combing more than 30 years of experience as facilitators, trainers, and teachers the authors use field tested approaches that work to create a group reflection experience that maximizes engagement, participation, and most importantly, learning.

Most books and approaches to facilitating learning are theoretical and abstract. In trying to teach others to create powerful group dialog following meaningful experiences, we find that many facilitators, both new and experienced, struggle with how to ask questions in a way that helps provoke learning rather than stifling it. We also see facilitators try to take groups where they think the group should go, rather than using powerful questions to let the group go where they need to go. Over the years, we developed a methodology that has enables group facilitators, from 8th grade students to experienced teachers, to create powerful dialog, engage groups where they are, and enable powerful learning experiences.

Reviews:

"The 5 Questions just work! I couldn't believe how my group actually got the point when I just asked the questions!" Andy, Senior, Vintage High School

"The Open to Outcome in-service session was energizing, humorous, and thought-provoking. Teachers appreciated the researched-based approach to engaging students in dialogue instead of allowing them to be passive observers. The 5 Questions model is a simple, easy to use process for every classroom situation." Jim Bennet, Principal, Lemoore High School, CA