Early Man - Creating and Answering Our Own Essential Questions
The Task - Each group completed preliminary research in order to learn enough about Early Hominids to create an essential question. As this was our first self-directed learning experience of the year, there was a certain level of discomfort and questioning.
Finally, we came to the understanding that any question we can "search up" is not an essential question. Once at this point, groups began organizing themselves to share the research, and began making conjectures in answer to their questions. All conjectures needed to be supported by evidence with sources cited.
The last step was to create a method of presenting the question, answer, and evidence to the class. As our first shared project, we used these presentations as a baseline to determine the lessons needed in speaking, listening, and presentation design.
Finally, we came to the understanding that any question we can "search up" is not an essential question. Once at this point, groups began organizing themselves to share the research, and began making conjectures in answer to their questions. All conjectures needed to be supported by evidence with sources cited.
The last step was to create a method of presenting the question, answer, and evidence to the class. As our first shared project, we used these presentations as a baseline to determine the lessons needed in speaking, listening, and presentation design.