A question with no answer

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Card 34 of 52

Put it on the board and read it out. Nothing to prepare.

A group sitting on the floor in a circle, listening to one another

Opener · 4 min

A question with no answer

Here is a question that does not have one correct answer: what is something many people believe that might not be true?

Sit with the question quietly. No hands need to go up, and I am not waiting for a particular answer.

Notice what your mind does when a question stays unfinished and certainty is not on offer.

If you would like to, share one thought with your neighbour, even if it is still taking shape.

Recipes for Wellbeing · CC BY-NC 4.0

Illustration by RecipesforWellbeing.org, CC BY-NC 4.0

Open this drawing in the library

Here is a question that does not have one correct answer: what is something many people believe that might not be true?

Sit with the question quietly. No hands need to go up, and I am not waiting for a particular answer.

Notice what your mind does when a question stays unfinished and certainty is not on offer.

If you would like to, share one thought with your neighbour, even if it is still taking shape.

That’s the practice.

Listen for Listen for whether pairs need a clearer example or permission to stay quiet, and leave the quality of their curiosity unjudged.

The skill of sense-making. Actively working to understand what is unclear or complex, moving beyond surface interpretations to construct deeper meaning.

When something feels confusing or complex, what questions help you dig beneath the surface to understand it more deeply?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

Here is a question with no single correct answer: what is something many people in our field believe that might not be true?

Sit with the question quietly. Nobody needs to speak, and I am not waiting for a particular answer.

Notice what your mind does when a question stays unfinished and certainty is not on offer.

If you would like to, share one thought with a partner or in the chat, even if it is still taking shape.

That’s the practice.

Watch for anyone who goes very still, tearful or far away. Do not single them out. Offer a break, or speak to them quietly afterwards.

The skill of sense-making. Actively working to understand what is unclear or complex, moving beyond surface interpretations to construct deeper meaning.

When something feels confusing or complex, what questions help you dig beneath the surface to understand it more deeply?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

Safeguarding

Nothing here asks a young person to share something painful, or to perform being well. Taking part silently is taking part.

“Pass” is always allowed. If something a young person says gives you concern, follow your setting’s usual safeguarding route. This is not yours to carry alone.

Care and safety

Nothing here asks anyone to share something painful or to look well. Taking part silently is taking part, and passing is always allowed.

If someone is struggling, follow the care route your group agreed in its first session. This is not yours to carry alone.

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The skill of sense-making

Actively working to understand what is unclear or complex, moving beyond surface interpretations to construct deeper meaning.

Hear this skill read aloud

Read the whole post Try the interactive practice Reflect on this skill for yourself

Adapting it

Ages 13 to 15: Use the more concrete question "What might school look like if it were invented today?"
Ages 16 to 18: Keep the question open through the lesson and come back to it in the last minute to see whether anyone's thinking has moved.