Two-Column Notes

Date:
10-1816

Name: Nick Aichele

Class/Subject: AYA Integrated Social Studies

Topic or Chapter
Bower, B., Lobdell, J., and Owens, S. (2010). Essential questions. Bring learning alive! Methods to transform middle
and high school social studies. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers Curriculum Institute, pp. 226-228.
Page #

The Text Says

Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.)

I Say
My notes, commentary

Pg. 226

Even though it is a simple question,

it is what defines the focus of the
entire unit.

The idea of a Essential question is vital in

the classroom for the students and the
teacher. They set a mutual understanding
and standards for the content section.
Which is even more important with Social
Studies because of how broad our content
areas are.

Pg. 226

Thus, the question helps you focus

your efforts, make tough choices and
ensure that you-and ultimately your
student-have a clear sense of how all
the parts of the unit come together.

Pg. 226

If the focus of the question is too

The one thing that really sticks out here is

the Making tough choices. As teachers
we need to look at all of our standards
and all the endless facts referring to our
content areas. And all these choices need
to come together so that our students
can learn what they need to whether it be
for the future or tests that the students
may face. We work with these essential
questions to ensure the lessons and the
units come together.
I think that this could be the most

narrow, it may not push students to

fully synthesize what they have
learned

important part of Essential questions. The

finding of a good balance between too
much content and not enough can make
or break a classroom. We need to be able
to create an environment where students
are learning without being swamped with
content. When you reach that level of
equality, the students can then learn in a
classroom that is not to easy or to hard
for them.

Pg. 228

Immigration: Is immigration a
benefit or a deterrent to the united
states.

Pg. 228

Modern China and Japan: Did the

life in the modern era improve China
and Japan.