Integrating Research Projects with Focused Writing Instruction article by McMackin and Siegel

This article lays a good foundation for teachers looking to teach students to use the research process.
Files: http://www.readingonline.org/articles/art_index.asp?HREF=
/articles/mcmackin/index.html

Process Steps

This note taking structure for students and teachers lists each of the steps in the questioning process through the development of a BIG question and three researchable questions.
Files: process_steps.doc; hs_process_steps.doc (High School)

Levels of Questioning

How might this process look at different stages of student proficiency and development? Here are some ideas and samples.
Files: levels.doc

CDE Content Standards

This website by the CDE lists all the California content standards for every subject that is available.
Files: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/

KW Chart

This Inspiration template is a starting point for student to create a KW chart as referenced in the McMackin and Siegel article. Students can use the rapid-fire feature of Inspiration to show what they know about their topic and what they want to know about it.
Files: KW_chart.isf ; maya_questions.isf

BIG Question Poster

This poster outlines a sample definition that can be used with students to describe a BIG question. Once students are familiar with BIG questions, many teachers have students create their own class definition.
Files: BIG_poster.doc

Good Questions

This poster has different definitions to describe a BIG question. One sample was generated by students at Napa's River Charter School.
Files: good_questions.doc (poster); hs_good_questions.doc (High School poster)

Big Questions or Not?

This activity helps students determine the different between BIG questions and little questions. Using the definition of a BIG question from the Good Questions sheet, students categorize each sample question as a BIG question or a little question. Students then explain why the question fits in that category (maya sample) or they revise the question to a BIG question (cancer sample).
Files: sample_questions_maya.doc (form); sample_questions_cancer.doc (form)

Big Questions or Not? video

Files:  Big_or_not_300x300.mp4

Initial Questions

This student sheet begins the process of choosing and developing a big question. Students begin with determining what they are interested in learning about, form those ideas into questions, and develop one or two BIG questions that fit the definition of a big question.
Files: initial_questions.doc (form)

Clarifying Conference Poster

The clarifying conference structures peer conferencing to help students give each other useful feedback to develop and refine their question. This strategy takes explict teaching for students to be able to use effectively. This poster states the purpose of the conference and the ground rules to promote thoughtful conferences.
Files: clarifying_conf.doc (poster)

Blooms Taxonomy--Revised

This word document comes from the IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning. The document includes verbs, model question starters, and relevant instructional strategies. This document was originally found at the URL: http://www.center.iupui.edu/ctl/idd/docs/Bloom_revised021.doc. Since it is no longer posted there, we host a copy of the document.
Files: bloom_revised.doc

BIG Question Machine

This student sheet helps students evolve their questions from an initial question to a meaningful researchable question. Students begin with their initial question and work with other students and the Bloom's starters to create a deeper question aligned with the higher end of Bloom's taxonomy (a "bloomed" question).
Files: BIG_question_machine.doc (form); 15 BIG Question Machine - High School (High School form); maya_blooming.isf (Sample of three "Bloomed" BIG questions)

Researchable Questions

This student sheet helps students plan their research. First students brainstorm what the need to learn about their BIG question. Then narrow the scope to three researchable questions that will help answer this BIG question. After determining key words from each small question, student identify synonyms to those key words. Finally, students anticipate problem words that might obstruct their search. This sheet lays out a road map for planning the student search.
Files: researchable_questions.doc

Rules for Questioning Brainstorm

These are the rules for questioning brainstorm for students. Use this with Inspiration software to promote inquiry.
Files: hs_RulesForQuestioning.doc (High School)

David Thornburg Inquiry Paper

This insightful paper by David Thornburg considers the role of questioning in the learning process. Especially notable is the questioning rubric that follows the article.
Files: thornburg_inquiry.pdf