Previously, I shared about the importance of student engagement during an author visit. When an author visits a school it should be a special event and much more than a read aloud. Nor is it a speech. It's an opportunity to inspire students to be readers and writers! 

One way we can inspire students to be readers and writers is to engage them with our stories, interaction, and questions. Engaged students actively participate and interact with what is happening.  Engagement leads to high levels of inspiration and learning!

Be sure to read about engaging students with interaction. Asking questions is another way to engage.

One type of engagement works well: Questions. 

Questions are effective for preschoolers and high schoolers--and everyone in between. You shouldn't ask the same question to a first grader and an eighth grader though. I also recommend using a variety of questions. (And some of these aren't questions but statements that students respond to.)

But not all questions are equally effective.

Ask some questions aloud that need an individual student (or several students) to answer.

I set the tone by reminding them I don’t want them to call out the answer—without saying that. Instead I say, “Who can raise their hand and remind us what an author does?” “Raise your hand if you can tell me what is nonfiction." 

Ask questions that every student (or many students) can respond to with body movement. 

“Some of you are like Little Annette and you don’t like to read—yet. But maybe you like stories. Give me a thumbs up if you like to hear stories.” Or talking with older students about the many ways we can tell stories beyond words, I might ask, "Who here is an artist? A musician?" Then I take it another step and ask them about telling stories through art and music and more. I also recognize other types of storytellers like explorers and athletes. I also use the thumbs up/down for trivia.

Ask questions that every student can answer aloud. 

But your author visit presentation isn't just a bunch of questions.

As you prepare for your next author visits, consider what questions you'll ask.