Developing Good Questions
Aligned to C3.D1 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Strong inquiry starts with compelling and supporting questions. A compelling question is big and debatable; supporting questions are smaller and answerable with evidence.
Worked example
Compelling: 'Was the wheel the most important ancient invention?' Supporting: 'What did the wheel let people do?' 'When was it invented?'
Practice questions
- Turn a topic into one compelling question.
- Write two supporting questions for it.
- What makes a question worth investigating?
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
Cómo Formular Buenas Preguntas
Una buena indagación comienza con preguntas centrales y preguntas de apoyo. Una pregunta central es amplia y debatible; las preguntas de apoyo son más específicas y se pueden responder con evidencia.
Ejemplo: Central: '¿Fue la rueda el invento más importante de la antigüedad?' De apoyo: '¿Qué permitió hacer la rueda a las personas?' '¿Cuándo fue inventada?'
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