Based on our discussions Based on our discussions and research this week, as and research this week, as

well as what you have well as what you have learned in other classes, learned in other classes,

identify at least three ways identify at least three ways to develop curriculum in the to develop curriculum in the language arts classroom.language arts classroom.

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

Themes and essential questions help Themes and essential questions help to frame student inquiry and promote to frame student inquiry and promote critical thinking. critical thinking.  Reside at the top of Bloom’s taxonomy.Reside at the top of Bloom’s taxonomy.

They also provide a helpful They also provide a helpful framework for organizing a unit of framework for organizing a unit of study using a multi-genre approach.  study using a multi-genre approach. 

Good essential questions have the Good essential questions have the following criteria in common:following criteria in common:  

Can be revisited throughout the unit Can be revisited throughout the unit to engage students in evolving to engage students in evolving dialogue and debate dialogue and debate

Lead to other essential questions Lead to other essential questions posed by students posed by students

Good essential questions have the Good essential questions have the following criteria in common:following criteria in common:  

Open-ended questions that resist a Open-ended questions that resist a simple or single right answer simple or single right answer

Deliberately thought-provoking, Deliberately thought-provoking, counterintuitive, and/or controversial counterintuitive, and/or controversial

Require students to draw upon content Require students to draw upon content knowledge and personal experienceknowledge and personal experience

Guidelines for Essential QuestionsGuidelines for Essential Questions

1.1. Students must be able to understand Students must be able to understand the essential question(s). the essential question(s).

2.2. The language of the questions should The language of the questions should be in broad terms.be in broad terms.

3.3. If there are multiple essential If there are multiple essential questions within a unit, use a logical questions within a unit, use a logical sequence when guiding students sequence when guiding students through the questions and unit.through the questions and unit.

4.4. Post essential questions in your Post essential questions in your classroom. classroom.    

American Literature UnitAmerican Literature Unit

The American DreamThe American Dream

What is the American Dream, and to what What is the American Dream, and to what extent is it achievable for all Americans? extent is it achievable for all Americans?

In what ways does the American Dream In what ways does the American Dream mean different things for different mean different things for different Americans? Americans?

How has the American Dream changed How has the American Dream changed over time? over time?

American Dream UnitAmerican Dream Unit

What is the perspective of a given nature, What is the perspective of a given nature, culture, or region in regard to the culture, or region in regard to the American Dream and what factors create American Dream and what factors create those perceptions? those perceptions? What are the responsibilities and What are the responsibilities and consequences of being a "world consequences of being a "world superpower"? superpower"? Are independence and dependence Are independence and dependence separable or inseparable? separable or inseparable?

Speech InstructionSpeech Instruction

How does understanding How does understanding the communication the communication

process affect our lives?process affect our lives?

How does learning to use How does learning to use critical listening and critical listening and

speaking skills enhance speaking skills enhance our interpretation of our interpretation of

messages?messages?

How does using efficient How does using efficient language increase our language increase our

ability to speak ability to speak effectively?effectively?

How does studying How does studying various forms of public various forms of public speaking enhance our speaking enhance our

effectiveness as effectiveness as communicators?communicators?

How do research skills How do research skills help us present our ideas help us present our ideas

more skillfully?more skillfully?

How does understanding How does understanding the nature of group the nature of group discussion help us discussion help us

become more productive become more productive members of society?members of society?

How can I apply my How can I apply my speaking skills to different speaking skills to different

situations?situations?

Other Language Arts Essential Other Language Arts Essential QuestionsQuestions

Why should I be able to identify different Why should I be able to identify different genres in literature? genres in literature?

What is the relationship between literature What is the relationship between literature and history?and history?

How can writing help me communicate my How can writing help me communicate my feelings and express my creativity?feelings and express my creativity?

What is the impact of other people's lives What is the impact of other people's lives on our culture? on our culture?

ReferencesReferences

Greece Central School District, New YorkGreece Central School District, New York

http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ela/6-12/Essential%20Questions/Index.htm

http://www.il-tce.org/present04/flesser.pdfhttp://www.il-tce.org/present04/flesser.pdf