Basic Coaching Questions

Coaching and the Process

We have had a few questions from colleagues and people interested in personalized learning from other schools about our coaching sessions. They specifically wonder about the process of coaching them through their projects. Do we advise, correct, instruct the children and the answer in short is we do none of those things. My Co-teacher and I have relied on questioning for getting students to hear their own thoughts as they verbalize them. We made a brief list of questions we rely on to help our learners take the next step in their development.

Key Questions to ask when you’re coaching

What is your inspiration for this project?
How are you going to prove to us what you have learned?
What do you need from me to be successful today? A basic version of this would be asking if the learner needs time or coaching.
How are you feeling about your research?
What are your Daily/weekly goals and what are you doing to accomplish them?
Have you been using flash goals? (a goal you can accomplish in 20-30 mins) touch again on Flash goals
Is your work too easy/hard for you and what can you do to make it more enjoyable?
What skills do you feel you are using most effectively to accomplish your goals today? (Typically the 4 C’s or whatever lenses your school is focusing through)
If you were coaching another student through this problem, what would you ask about?
How can you as a learner improve your quality of work?

This list will continue to grow over the months and years, please leave your favorite questions to ask during your coaching sessions in the comments below so that future readers can have access to your thoughts.