Creating Great Essential Questions

Creating Great Essential QuestionsShameicha Wade

Curriculum Specialist

What is An Essential Question?

Essential Questions"Given the amount of time we have to

spend on this particular unit of study, what is the essence....what is essential for the learners in my care to explore?"

Heidi Jacobs- Hayes

Definition of an Essential QuestionA good essential question is the first step when designing inquiry-based learning

Questions that probe for deeper meaning and set the stage for further questioning foster the development of critical thinking skills and higher order capabilities such as; problem solving, and the understanding of complex systems. A good essential question is the principle component of designing inquiry-based learning – the typical 'Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?' of a course of study.

What Constitutes A Good Essential Question?

The best essential questions center on major issues, problems, concerns, interests, or themes relevant to students’ lives and to their communities.

“The Ability To Ask Great Questions Often Is What Separates Great Teachers from Good Teachers. Essential Questions are Powerful”

What Should Students Learn1. Essential questions in the form of questions.

Questions suggest inquiry.2. Essential questions are organizers and set

the focus for the lesson or unit.3. Essential questions are initiators of creative

and critical thinking.4. Essential questions are conceptual

commitments focusing on key components in the curriculum.

Criteria1. Each student should be able to understand

the essential question(s).2. The language of the questions should be in

broad terms.3. There should be a logical sequence to a set

of essential questions.4. Essential questions should be posted in the

classroom.

Writing1. What is your teaching objective?2. Write the objective as a question.3. Do you need smaller key questions?4. Rewrite if necessary to make sure learners

understand the question(s).

How Do Essential Questions Help Teachers?They help teachers focus on important topics in their year-long curriculum and bring meaning across subject areas:

• They raise important questions across content areas (Math, Science, Literature, History, etc.).

• They center around major issues, problems, concerns, interests, or themes that also occur in other units.

How Do Essential Questions Help Students?

They engage students’ imagination and connect the subject with their own experiences and ideas.

They help to engage students:

There is no one, obvious “right” answer, so students are challenged to explore many possibilities.

They encourage in-depth discussion and research, and set the stage for further questioning.

Why Essential Questions?

FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT

Olympics

How have the Olympic GamesInfluenced both society and

The individual?

How have both society and the Individual influenced the

Olympic Games?

Without Essential Questions…

FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT FACT

Olympics

Teaching the Essential QuestionTeach students the essential questions before

you begin the unitEssential Questions are like

“Mental Velcro”Students should focus on any & all

information that “sticks” to the essential question

Always POST your Essential Questions

What is an Essential Question? …And what is not?

Essential Questions vs “Simple,” Fact-based, “One” Answer Questions

How does art reflect culture or change it?

What is renaissance art?




How does an organism succeed in its environment?

What is the life cycle of a frog?






How does conflict produce change?

What is the conflict in the story…?








Why do laws change? How does a bill become law?








Why do laws change? How does a bill become law?

Is history a history of progress? What are three inventions created by Ben Franklin?

Lets Create

Activity 2

Questions

Creating Great Essential Questions

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