Examples of Essential Questions

  1. When is violence justified?

  2. When is it ok/not ok to break the rules?

  3. What makes an endangered species worth saving?

  4. When should freedom be restricted?

  5. Does collaboration expand creativity or squelch it?

  6. What makes me happy?

  7. What lengths should a person go in order to win?

  8. When should we push for change? When should we honor tradition?


Characteristics of Essential Questions

  1. No correct answer

  2. Compelling - probe matters of considerable importance

  3. Ask us to apply our past experiences in a new context.

  4. Helps learner to uncover structure of content -> TRANSFER

  5. Drive further inquiry and curiosity

  6. Are timeless and recurring

  7. Written simply

  8. Communicate shared authority between expert and learner