School violence reminds us that we often lack awareness of the inner maps of another's mind, even of those closest by. We question why pain brings out the best at times and the worst at times. We wonder why a bit of fortune inspires one person but destroys another. We simply do not understand until we ask and seek. Understanding depends on much more than delivering more facts.
Understanding requires much more than rote memory.
Working from the known to the unknown. When students connect new ideas to their past knowledge and experiences, they can draw facts from personal bodies of knowledge for a deeper response. Skipping hesitant persons for the time being or providing clues to generate good answers. Rather than insisting on asking questions aimed at uncovering new facts which all students may not yet know, mine for the gold they do know first. Tapping others for more complete answers when a student responds briefly.