Write+an+Essential+Question

=Overview= On this wikipage, you will learn what an essential question is and how to write one by converting a standard into an essential question.

What is an essential question?
According to Elder & Paul (2006), "questions define tasks, express problems and delineate issues. They drive thinking forward" (p. 3). An //__**essential question**__// does not have a right or wrong answer; it is debatable and worth arguing about (Jacobs, 2013). Wiggins & McTighe (2005) said that a question is essential if it follows these guidelines:
 * cause genuine and relevant inquiry into the big ideas and core content
 * provoke deep thought, lively discussion, sustained inquiry, and new understanding as well as more questions
 * require students to consider alternatives, weigh evidence, support their ideas and justify their answers
 * stimulate vital, ongoing rethinking of big ideas, assumptions, prior lessons
 * spark meaningful connections with prior learning and personal experiences
 * naturally recur, creating opportunities for transfer to other situations and subjects (p. 110)

**Essential Question Writing: Converting Standards to Big Ideas to Essential Questions**
Dr. W. Britz, from Purdue University, has described a process that can help you write essential questions. Please read over this Microsoft Word document because it will help you.

Write Your Essential Question on the Lesson Plan Template

 * 1) You can add your essential question to your lesson plan by finding your wikipage (links will open in new tab, close the tab when you are finished adding your question)
 * 2) Your lesson plan is on //__**THIS**__// wikipage - click here -