Essential Questions are…
Open-Ended
Example: Are there ever good reasons to start or enter a war?
Non-Example: What are the three primary reasons World War II started?
Meaningful
Example: Can a protagonist be flawed, but still be a protagonist?
Non-Example: What is the definition of a protagonist?
Debatable
Example: What makes art "art"?
Non-Example: What are the key characteristics of impressionism?
Able to be answered differently at different times/contexts
Example: Is it OK to estimate?
Non-Example: How do you estimate in algebraic word problems?
Deep
Example: What are different, universal ways to express need?
Non-Example: How do you ask for help in Spanish?
Complex (They invite/require rationales & justification)
Example: What is the value of a scientific theory?
Non-Example: What does the Theory of Relativity state?