Asking Good Questions
Aligned to C3.D1.1 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Good research starts with good questions. A compelling question is big and interesting and has more than one possible answer. Supporting questions are smaller questions whose answers help you answer the big one.
Worked example
A compelling question might be, "Why did people build our town where they did?" Supporting questions could be, "What rivers are nearby?" and "What jobs did the first settlers have?"
Practice questions
- What is the difference between a compelling question and a supporting question?
- Explain why a good compelling question should have more than one possible answer.
- Write one compelling question about your community and two supporting questions that would help you answer it.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Hacer Buenas Preguntas
Una buena investigación empieza con buenas preguntas. Una pregunta central es grande e interesante y tiene más de una respuesta posible. Las preguntas de apoyo son preguntas más pequeñas cuyas respuestas te ayudan a contestar la grande.
Ejemplo: Una pregunta central podría ser: "¿Por qué la gente construyó nuestro pueblo donde lo hizo?" Las preguntas de apoyo podrían ser: "¿Qué ríos hay cerca?" y "¿Qué trabajos tenían los primeros colonos?"
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