Strategy: Ask Essential Questions
/Workshop 3 – Combat Zone
Text: “Ambush” (short story) / Whole Group LessonResources needed: Text; Thinkmarks; “Ask Essential Questions” chart and graphic (attached) / 2 Days
Introduce the Strategy Share why this strategy is important. Say something like:
Today we’re going to focus on asking essential questions after reading a text. This type of thinking promotes thoughtful reading and careful evaluation of the information in texts that are about the same issue.
Introduce the Text and Build Background Say something like:
The piece we’re going to read is “Ambush” by Tim O’Brian. This story is about an American soldier in the Vietnam War. My (brother/father/friend) went to Vietnam. I’ve also seen movies that depict this war and show soldiers killing and being killed. What is your experience with the Vietnam War or war in general? Think-pair-share.
Introduce Academic Language See the attached chart and follow Stretch Routine 1.
Target vocabulary: essential, issue, universal
Teach “I do”
• Connect to prior knowledge. Say something like:
Students, we’ve discussed and responded to Essential Questions before, in Workshops 1 and 2. However, we haven’t talked much about what an Essential Question is and how it helps us as readers.
Essential Questions are not the type of questions that can be answered right there in the text or even by reading a single text. They are more general questions about a universal theme or life issue that are explored through many sources – our own life experiences or the experiences of people we know (our prior knowledge) as well as through other texts, movies, songs, etc.
• State the teaching point. Today, I want to teach you how to generate your own Essential Questions because asking questions before, during, and after reading can give purpose to the reading and help the reader connect ideas for better understanding.
• Demonstrate the strategy. Say something like:
Let me show you what I mean. In this Workshop Unit, called Combat Zone, we’re going to begin with a short story called “Ambush.” First, I’m going to preview the text features to see what the story is about and the issues it raises. Then I’m going to formulate Essential Questions about the issues.
• Read Aloud Read the title and the caption. Preview the pictures, pointing out what you notice. Then say something like:
Watch me and notice what I do.
• Think Aloud how to use the strategy. Say something like:
Hmm, I notice that the title says, “Combat Zone,” the caption refers to Vietnam, and the pictures of wounded soldiers indicate this story is about the Vietnam War. So I’m thinking the story addresses the universal issue of war. I’m going to write the issue at the top of a large sticky note. I want you to do the same.
Okay, now I’m going to formulate an Essential Question about the issue. Hmm, I’m going to write, “I wonder what circumstances justify going to war?” Go ahead a do the same.
• Check for understanding. Say something like:
Did you notice what I did to formulate an Essential Question? Students volunteer answers. Make a chart or use the one attached.
That’s right, I followed these steps:
1. Preview or summarize the text or section of text. “What is the text mainly about?”
2. Identify universal issues. “What are the big issues in this story that are universal?”
3. Formulate questions. “I wonder ______.”
This next one, we’ll talk about a little later.
4. Examine how questions are addressed in the text. “What does the text say about my EQ?”
Actively Engage Students “We do”
• Guide the students to practice the strategy together. Say something like:
Okay, let’s try it together. Notice the title “Ambush” and the picture. “Ambush” denotes a surprise attack and a soldier all by himself would be scared, so I’m thinking another universal issue is fear. What do you think?
Turn and tell a partner. Now write the issue on another large sticky note. Let’s think of an Essential Question about fear. Any ideas? Begin your EQ with “I wonder …” and write it on your sticky note. Circulate to see what Essential Questions students are formulating.
Application “You do” Say something like:
Okay, it’s your turn to try it. Notice the last two pictures and think what another universal issue might be? Write it on your sticky note. (The next two pictures show one lone soldier with a helmet and another lone soldier with a cap, so I guess this story is mainly about one soldier killing another soldier. That means the other big issue is death.) What do you wonder about death or killing someone? (I wonder what it means to take another person’s life.) Write the EQ on your sticky note.
Link to Independent Reading Activities
• Remind the students to use the strategy on their own. Say something like:
So, readers, remember that formulating Essential Questions can give a purpose to your reading and help you to connect ideas. Before reading and during reading, note the big issue on a sticky note and generate an Essential Question. When we meet in small group, we’ll be reviewing our Essential Questions and reading to see what the text says about the Essential Questions.
• Post the chart for using the Ask Essential Questions strategy for students to reference.
Ask Essential Questions Strategy
1. Preview or summarize the text.
2. Identify universal issues.
3. Formulate essential questions.
4. Examine how questions are addressed in the text.