An overview about driving questions - what they are, how they help, and how to write effective DQs.

1. Driving Questions 101 Exploring the BIG Picture

2. Q:How can STRONG driving questions change a student’s approach to learning?

3. A: They require extraordinary thinking and lead to focused… (Jay McTighe& Grant Wiggins)

4. Why are DQs of value? Promote inquiry Develop responsibility Initiate discussion Relieve anxiety

5. What if we ask a question… …that has no answer?

6. DQ Characteristics Open-ended Provocative Challenging Real-world connections Standards-based

7. Writing DQs for Units

8. Is my DQ a strong DQ? Encourages critical thinking Helps produce original ideas Solicits evaluation Requires problem-solving skills

9. Framing the Question

10. DQs: Strong vs. Weak WHY has a woman never been U.S. president? Whowas president in 1860? WHAT IF the world ran out of oil tomorrow? What is metamorphosis? HOWcan we best stop the flu in Phoenix? How do birds fly?

11. DQs: Strong vs. Weak SHOULD government bail out businesses? Compare and contrast three revolutions. WHICH simple machine is most important? Is Hong Kong a nice place to live?

12. Sharing DQs with Students Asked often Easy to understand Broad terms Posted and readily available

13. Bibliography Websites: What is an Essential Question? The Driving Question Essential Questions