Essential Questions

Essential Questions

Throughout the course, you will be answering five Essential Questions.

An Essential Question involves a big idea that recurs throughout your life.

It provokes thought and expands your thinking.

You will have an original answer.

Identity

Who am I and what do I believe is important for me to live a happy, rewarding life?

• Where do I fit in my world? What gives meaning to my life?
• What shapes my identity such as
  
  • relationships (family and friends)
  • media
  • interests and hobbies
  • culture (language, beliefs, food, etc.)
  • past events
  • my actions
• What are my goals and why is effective goal setting important?
• What realistic steps do I need to take to achieve my goals?
• How can I share my story or express what is meaningful to me?
• How do I relate to characters in a text and how does this reveal my own identity?

Communication

How can I use communication so that my message is always understood clearly?

• How do I decide which type of communication is appropriate for my task?
  • Identify purpose of communication.
  • Identify characteristics of the target audience.
    • What might clarify or hinder communication?
  • Determine best mode of communication for the situation.
• How do I gather information?
• Ask open-ended, probing, and clarifying questions.
• How do I improve my communication skills?
  • Reflect on message sent and how it was received.
  • Use appropriate vocabulary, symbols, practices, and conventions.
  • Research various modes of communication.
  • Formulate strategies to improve communication.
• How can I benefit from clear communication?
  • Express my ideas.
  • Persuade others.
  • Clarify my thinking.
  • Receive the action or result desired.
  • Build future success.
• How do I responsibly use communication skills?
• Build relationships.

Problem-solving

How can I solve problems successfully?

• How can I use story writing and storytelling to help solve everyday problems?
  • Decisions and actions of characters reveal personality.
  • I can learn from consequences others face.
  • Point of view affects how I see problems and how I try to solve them.
  • How I solve my problem affects the future.
• How do I react when I encounter a problem? Why do I react that way?
• Threatened
• Challenged
• Other
• What steps do I use to solve a problem?
  • Identify key information.
  • Consider possible solutions.
  • Reflect on past experience.
  • Apply possible solution.
• How do I improve my problem-solving skills?
  • Analyze results.
  • Do research before making a decision.
  • Consider consequences.
  • Formulate strategies for future problem-solving.

Critical and Creative Thinking

What thinking strategies can I use to accomplish my goals?

• How do reading and writing improve thinking skills?
• How can I express my thoughts and feelings skillfully, precisely, and artistically?
• What are the facts of the situation?
• Identify key information (facts/5 Ws).
• Consider viewpoints involved.
• Identify biases (emotion vs reason).
• Make inferences.
• Why should I question other viewpoints?
• Consider why people may have different perspectives.
• Distinguish between fact and opinion.
• Explore ideas critically and perceptively.
• Use effective strategies and techniques.
• Use a disciplined approach to discover versimilitude (lifelikeness or reality).
• Reflect on design and form.
• State my opinion or belief.
  • What is my opinion of the situation, and why do I believe that?
• Provide reasonable and logical support for my opinion.
• Evaluate evidence.
• What influences a writer to express something beautiful? How does a writer convey reality powerfully, appealing both to the intellect and emotions?
  

Cooperation

How can working with others help me identify my role in a group?

• What significant events and experiences shape a community?
• What is my responsibility to others?
  • Recognize my needs and dependence on others.
  • Recognize needs and rights of others.
  • Recognize benefits of working with older and younger generations.
  • Recognize benefits and limitations of group work.
• What can I contribute to my community or society?
  • Identify personal strengths and interests.
  • Complete and share assigned task(s).
  • Use and model appropriate attitudes and behaviours.
• How can I make a positive difference?
  • Work toward goals.
  • Examine the past, present, and future.
• How can words, communication, and literature reflect valid ideas or contribute to a society's education, thoughts, and actions?