“The essential question is conceptual commitment.  When a teacher or group of teachers selects a question to frame and guide curricular design, it is a declaration of intent.  In a sense you are saying”, ‘This is our focus for learning.  I will put my teaching skills into helping my students examine the key concept implicit in the essential question’ (Jacobs, 1997, pp. 27).

Grant Wiggins wrote an online article titled,
What is an Essential Question?

It is important that teachers and administrators have a common definition of an Essential Question.  Wiggins’ informational article provides educators with a starting point for evaluating current essential questions in your district’s local curriculum.

Please share your experiences with developing and implementing essential questions for K-12 students.

References:

Jacobs, H.H. (1997). Mapping the big picture: Integrating the curriculum &
        assessment K-12. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and
        Curriculum Development.

 


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