Overview & Tools
View a topic overview video, see a visual representation of how the practices support the topic, and access customizable planning templates for use at the state, district, or school level.
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Sample Material
Sample Essential Questions by Grade Level
View examples of essential questions created by teachers at Normal Park Museum Magnet Elementary and see how they organize their science and social studies-based modules around these...
Overview
Using Higher-Order Questions to Help Students Build Explanations
View a multimedia overview to learn how teachers can promote critical thinking skills by posing higher-order questions and encouraging student explanations.
Tool
Sentence Starters for Generating Higher-Order Questions
Use this tool to develop questions and sentence starters that will help generate deeper explanations from students.
Overview
Connecting Abstract and Concrete Representations of Concepts
View this multimedia overview to learn about how connecting abstract ideas with concrete situations can help students understand difficult concepts and transfer their knowledge to new situations.
Sample Material
Graphic Organizer for Teaching Vocabulary With Visuals
Middle-school teacher Bonnie Bowen uses this graphic organizer in her classroom to incorporate the use of visuals in vocabulary instruction. Related Files: Plainwell Middle School...
Tool
Discuss and Design: Effective Classroom Structures for Higher-Order Questions
Use this observation chart to convene a school in-service session for teachers to learn about creating classroom structures that utilize student questioning to build explanations. Related...