Curriculum-Framing Questions

Essential Questions: Broad, open-ended questions that address big ideas and enduring concepts. Essential Questions often cross disciplines and help students see how subjects are related.

Unit Questions: Tied directly to a project and support investigation into the Essential Question. Unit Questions are open-ended questions that help students demonstrate how well they understand the core concepts of a project.

Content Questions: Fact-based, concrete questions that have a narrow set of correct answers. Often, content questions relate to definitions, identifications, and general recall of information - similar to the types of questions you would typically find of a test. Content Questions are important support questions for Essential and Unit Questions.

EQ from Intel.png

Because the best Essential and Unit Questions demand that students have a strong understanding of Content Questions, your Essential and Unit Questions will drive the content and strategies for your unit.

Engaging Students with Curriculum-Framing Questions

Asking intriguing questions is an effective way to encourage students to think deeply and provide them with a meaningful context for learning. When students encounter questions that they are truly interested in answering, they become engaged in learning. When questions help students see connections between subject matter and their own lives, learning becomes meaningful. You can help your students become more motivated and self-directed by asking the right questions. So, what are the right questions?

Curriculum-Framing_Questions.ppt

Curriculum-Framing Questions Rubric

Tips for Writing Curriculum-Framing Questions

Sample Curriculum-Framing Questions

Big Idea Words

Writing Curriculum-Framing Questions

Google Doc: Writing Curriculum-Framing Questions

Unit Plan Checklist