Rubric for "The Big Question"

Hi all,

I receive many questions about the "Big Question". I confess, this is a new concept to me.  I heard about this a few years ago when piloting our Innovations class.  I received a book called,

Essential Questions by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins

Though the "Big Question" does not receive a lot of marks in student projects,  it is what drives the project.

Here is a rubric that I use:

Essential Question Rubric

An essential question should be about the problem to be solved and the information needed to solve the problem.

Exceeds Expectation - achieves 5 characteristics I have thoroughly identified an essential question.

Meets Expectation - achieves 3-4 characteristics I have substantially identified an essential question.

Approaches Expectation - achieves 1-2 characteristics I have partially identified an essential question.

Does not meet Expectation - does not achieve any characteristics Your question is a topical question that can be answered with facts I have difficulty identifying an essential question.

Essential questions are:  (Five Characteristics)

1.       Open-ended with no right or wrong answer, cannot be answered with a list of facts but requires research.  Answers to essential questions cannot be found.  They must be invented.

2.        Thought-provoking or controversial requiring finding different points of view,

3.       May start with:  Which one? How? Should? Why?     

4.       Cast old ideas in a new light, lead to discovery, engender deeper interest in the subject, and are provocative.

5.       Involve higher-order thinking skills such as analyze, evaluate, create l
 

Examples of good essential questions:

1.       Was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant?

2.       How do the arts shape, as well as reflect, a culture?

3.       What makes objects move the way they do?

4.       How can I express myself when I don’t know the words?

5.       How does where you live influence how you live?

6.       Why did the Soviet Union collapse?

7.       What should we eat to prevent diseases?

If you are interested in project-based or inquiry-based learning, I highly recommend the book.  Thanks.