Question Stem Signal Share Assess (QSSSA)
for Multilingual Learners
QSSSA a strategy that can be used all throughout your lessons.
It works especially well if you are needing to teach from a “direct instruction” method because are teaching a new concept. At the same time, you want to keep all your students engaged. For Multilingual Learners (MLs), this strategy gives them time to process, possible look up words in a dictionary, and consult with a peer before they are asked to share in front of the entire class. It’s effective in any content area.
o Question: Ask students an open-ended question connected to the concept you are going to teach. Make sure you write it on the board or have in projected so MLs can hear it and see it.
How can algebra solve real world problems?
How can history be true if it is written by humans who are fallible?
o Stem or Sentence Frame: Next provide a stem such as “I am not sure what this is about, but I think it might be...” or a sentence frame “I think ___ could solve _____ if it ______” to provide a scaffold for their answers. Require that the students write down their answer. White boards, graphic organizers, content notebooks or scratch paper can all be used.
o Signal: Provide students a set amount of time to work independently. Put a timer up on the projector or time with your watch/phone. Tell them to let you know they are done by turning their paper over or raising their hands.
o Share: Group students in pairs or threes to share their responses. For this short activity, it usually works best if they are grouped by students sitting near them. Make sure you indicate clearly who is in each group. Be aware of MLs language abilities and possible bilingual mentors as you develop seating charts.
o Assess: Walk around the room listening to the student’s answers. Invite students to share they answers with the whole class. For MLs, I usually quietly ask while they are working in their partners or small groups if they would be willing to share with the class. Allow them to share in whatever language is more comfortable for them if you can translate or have a student translate.
Visual by Valentina Gonzalez
Have you tried this strategy before?
What worked? What didn’t?