Essential Questions

Essential questions are specifically linked to the big ideas. They frame student inquiry, promote critical thinking, and assist in learning transfer of knowledge.

For instance, with the big idea "Writing is a means for documenting thinking" contains four essential questions:

1. What role does writing play in our lives?
2. How do we develop into effective writers?
3. To what extent does the writing process contribute to the quality of writing?
4. How does a writer create narrative, informational, and persuasive pieces that respond to topic, purpose, and audience?

There are often several essential questions linked to a big idea, and essential questions may be linked to several big ideas. Essential questions may also transcend grade level, or be grade specific.

 

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