Mary Budd's research shows that increasing wait time after asking questions improves student learning and engagement. When teachers wait 3-10 seconds before expecting a response or moving on to another question, it allows students time to think, access prior knowledge, and formulate more accurate and precise answers. It also reduces impulsivity and supports developing important habits of mind like thinking interdependently, striving for accuracy, and listening with understanding.

2. Mary Budd’s research shows
What you do after asking a
question impacts on your
students
Many teachers ask two or
They expect a response
three questions per
within 0.9 seconds
minute
Often they Then only a few
answer their seconds before
own questions moving on
Introduce wait time

3. When you ask a question - use wait time
When you ask an open
ended question
Or use think – pair – Wait 3 – 10 seconds
partner response before asking for a
response
Ask random
Ignore the
students to
waving hands
respond

4. Research is showing that when you change your
questioning style to include wait time
Teachers (requiring But it
That and higher Student must be
academic
discipline students order achievemen taught to
improves ask better thinking t improves become a
questions skills) HABIT

5. Wait time gives time for
Time to
Time to access
Increased respond with
prior
metacognition accuracy and
knowledge
precision

6. Wait time helps
The All
To reduce
student to students to
impulsivity
reflect focus

7. Wait time supports these Habits of Mind
Listening with
Thinking Striving for
interdependently
understanding
accuracy
and empathy