Read the questions below and then the transcript, which is from a lesson in a primary school. Make a response to the following questions:

1. Can you find an example of a managerial question?
2. Are there examples of questions that are really commands?
3. Which is the first key question about the content of the lesson?
4. Why do you think the teacher asked the key question?
5. In what direction does the teacher then take the lesson?
6. Do you think the teaching and learning sequence was appropriate?

Transcript

Teacher: Right, can you all sit down now? Can I have you all looking this way? Can you remember that last month we did some work on the topic “Harmattan”? Please put your pens down. Today we are going to extend that topic. I want you to listen to some music. You need to concentrate very hard, so it would be a good idea to close your eyes while the music is playing. I want you to think about the ideas and images that the music brings into your minds. Images, remember, are like pictures in your head. But before we listen to the music, can we predict what some music about Harmattan would be like? Think hard. Umaru, what do you think?

Umaru: Cool.

T: Right, cool music. Can we think of other words?

Umaru: Slow.

T: Interesting – cool and slow. Why did you put these two words together?

Umaru : I was thinking of the long nights.

T: Right, nights are longer at this time of year, yes. When we think of Harmattan as a season, what comes first into your minds?

Ali: Dusty cold winds.

T: Dusty cold winds, good.

Ahmad: Cold.

Nabieu: Warm clothing.

T: Warm clothing, what sort of warm clothing?

Nabieu: Woollen blankets, sweaters and jackets.

Samuel: Room heaters.

T: Right, room heaters. Can you think of other words?

Bangura: Sugarcane.

T: Good. Right, now I’m going to play the music. Listen carefully. Remember, it might be a good idea to close your eyes. At the beginning of the music, I want you to think of the beginning of Harmattan. While the music is playing, I want you to think about all the ideas, images, pictures that the music brings into your mind. I’m going to give each pair a large piece of paper. When the music stops, I want you to write down what came into your mind when you heard the music. Can you think about all the images of Harmattan that this music conjures up? Right, now I’m starting the music. If you want to close your eyes, close them now…