Connec&ng Literature to Social Ac&on Through Essen&al Ques&ons Joan Flora & Pa;e Sloan Canby School District / West Salem High School
A Portrait of Literate Students • They demonstrate independence. • They build strong content knowledge. • They respond to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, & discipline. • They comprehend as well as cri&que. • They value evidence. • They use technology and digital media strategically & capably. • They come to understand other perspec&ves & cultures. CCSS, p. 7
Close Reading
The Condensed CCSS for reading • What the text says (key ideas & details) • How the author / text says it (craQ & structure) • What does it mean? Why does it maSer? (integra&on of knowledge & how ideas are communicated)
Enduring Understanding
Life shapes literature, and literature shapes life.
What’s an Essen&al Ques&on? • Captures the heart of the maSer • Reappears throughout our lives • Requires relevant inquiry and connects students to other ideas • Results in an original answer • May not have an answer
What Makes a Ques&on Essen&al? • Connects the literature text to the world • Ques&ons cannot be answered yes or no • Requires students to: – Evaluate – Synthesize – Analyze
• Ask us to define: • • • • •
Which one? How? What if? Should? Why? Wiggins & McTighe, 2005
How do you Write an Effec&ve EQ? • Consider the focus of the text • Begin with the six queries of who?, what?, where?, when?, why?, and how? • From these formulate Essen&al Ques&on – Use: which one?, what if?, should?.
• Think like a learner • Post and focus
Not Essen&al Essen&al • What common ar&s&c • How do the arts shape, symbols were used by as well as reflect, a the Incas and the culture? Mayans? • What steps did you • What do effec&ve follow to get your problem solvers do answer? when they get stuck? • What key event sparked • Is there ever a “just” WW1? war? Wiggins & McTighe, 2013
Quiz Show! • Is The Catcher in the Rye a comedy or a tragedy? • How does Ernest Hemingway use se;ng to establish mood? • What is irony? • Are truth and happiness incompa&ble? Wiggins & McTighe, 2005
Care & Feeding of Administrators How do we ensure that all learners achieve more rigorous literacy standards? What does the evidence that we’re moving in the right direc&on look like?
Do Essen&al Ques&ons MaSer?
Does Character MaSer? • ZEST: ac&vely par&cipates, shows enthusiasm, invigorates others
• GRIT: Finishes whatever he or she begins; tries hard
even aQer experiencing failure; works independently with focus
• SELF-‐CONTROL: prepared, resists distrac&ons, observes & reflects, takes ac&on, remains calm, manages temper, listens generously
• OPTIMISM: gets over frustra&ons & setbacks quickly, believes that effort will improve his or her future
Does Character MaSer? • GRATITUDE: recognizes & shows apprecia&on for others & for opportuni&es
• SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE: finds solu&ons during conflicts with others; knows when and how to include others
• CURIOSITY: explores new things; asks and answers ques&ons to deepen understanding; listens generously
Is the American Dream equally accessible to all?
Is the American Dream equally accessible to all?
Are There Forces in Life Over Which we Have no Control?
Are There Forces in Life Over Which we Have no Control?
What is the Best Response to Injus&ce?
Is Violence Learned? / Do we Encourage Bullying?
Is Violence Learned? / Do we Encourage Bullying?
Is Rebellion Ever Jus&fied?
Is Rebellion Ever Jus&fied?
Is Rebellion Ever Jus&fied?
Is Gender Equity ASainable?
Is Gender Equity ASainable?
When should secrets be revealed?
Bonus: Can Wisdom be Gained From Tragedy?
Enduring Understanding
Life shapes literature, and literature shapes life.
It’s a ripple—not a splash
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