September 2025 Protocol of the Month: A-B-C Questioning

This month's protocol simplifies questioning to an almost formulaic process, and, with some training and tweaking, students can use this formula independently in written papers that require proof or justification. 

A-B-C Questioning (Questioning, Discussion, Feedback)

Description: A-B-C is a structured questioning process that stands for Agree, Build, and Challenge. It is simple, effective, and requires little preparation. 

Application: Use A-B-C for all subjects and levels. 

​Process: Create questions based on the topic of the day.  Begin a whole-group discussion with a general open-ended question. Call-on one student to answer the question. Determine who Agrees and ask for justification. Further the discussion by asking another student to Build on the answer by encouraging elaboration and/or additions to the answer. Ask students if they would like to Challenge any of the ideas that were provided by others. Allow time for any challenges and repeat the process to further the discussion but end it when ideas have been exhausted. 

For reference or for more information: 
Sandling, J. (2021) My Top 5 Questioning Techniques for Teachers jonathansandling.com/top-five-questioning-techniques-for-teachers/