Unit+5+Reflection

=Essential Questions:= =Doorways to Understanding= When we are asking questions we need to go beyond questions answerable by unit facts to questions that burst thorogh the boundaries of the topic. Questions when properly used, thus send all the right signals about understanding as a goal. The best questions point to and highlight the big ideas. The best questions serve not only to promote understanding of the content of a unit on a particular topic, they aslo spark connections and promote transfer of ideas from one setting to others. Questions essential encouarge should transfer beyond the particular topic. =Four connotations= 1- Important questions that recur throughout all our lives. 2- Core ideas and inquiries within a discipline. 3- Essential refers to what is needed for learning core contetnt. 4- Essential refers to questions that will most engage specific and diverse set of learners.

Many yes/no, either/or, who/what/when questions offer the potential to spark impressive curiosity, thought, and reflection in students, depending upon how they are posed and the nature of the follow-ups. Essential questions can be framed around four categories of big ideas for effective learning: -key concepts, -purpose and value, -strategy and tactics, -contex of use.

Topical questions are more specific essential questions.(How does food turn into energy?) Overeraching qusertions are for framing courses and programs of study around the truly big ideas.(How do our various body systems interact?)

The best essential questions have a surprising benefit beyond their ability to provide greater insight and perspective.