The way you ask questions shapes who thinks. After posing a question, wait several seconds before taking an answer. That silence feels long, but it lets more students form a response rather than deferring to the quickest hand. Ask questions with more than one defensible answer, since those invite reasoning instead of guessing the word in your head.

To broaden participation, give everyone a moment to write first, call on volunteers and non-volunteers thoughtfully, and use small groups so quieter students can contribute without the whole room watching. The goal is a class where many students are thinking, not one where a few carry the discussion.