The Essential Questions Workshop
Your unit is only as good as the question holding it together. In about an hour, you'll write one your students will actually argue about.
- 2 PD hours
- Instant access
- Yours to keep
"Why do we need to learn this?"
You've heard it. Maybe this week. And it stings, because you know the material matters.
The problem usually isn't the content. What you need is a question that wakes everyone up.
If the answer lives in the vocab section of chapter 4, students will find it, copy it and forget it. If the question is juicy, they'll argue about it in the hallway (in the best way.)
Most units start with a list of standards. Great units start with a question worth wrestling with. Then everything gets built backwards from there.
What were the causes of the American Revolution?
answer: page 112. done.
When, if ever, is rebellion against authority justified?
now they have something to say.
Works in any room. ELA, science, government, psych, econ. Every subject has a question worth fighting about.
Everything you need to write the question
And keep it alive all unit, so it doesn't die on day two.
The workshop
- What makes a question juicy, and what makes one flat
- The unit question vs. the essential question, side by side
- A framework for writing an EQ that actually works
- A 6-phase process to keep the question alive all unit, without losing time for content
- How to build a classroom culture where inquiry is the norm
- A "try this tomorrow" activity for every step of the way
Editable bonuses
- The EQ Bank, with ready-to-use questions for English, U.S. History, World History, Government and more
- The EQ Tracker template for daily warm-ups
- 3 EQ Spectrum visuals for your walls
- A unit planning template, built backwards
This is for you if...
- You teach high school, in any subject
- Your units feel like a pile of lessons that never quite add up
- You want students thinking deeply, not just regurgitating
- You've grabbed a cookie-cutter lesson at 10pm and felt meh about it
- You still think the kids are hilarious
Psst. Your school can pay for this.
It counts for 2 PD hours, and it lines up with state standards. Most schools reimburse workshops like this one.
Need the paperwork? Here's how to ask admin.
Buying for your whole department? Get the department pass.
Want every workshop, not just this one? It's included in the DHT Club.
Hello, One time, yours to keep. Your access link shows up the second you check out. $19.99 Secure checkout. Your access link shows up right away. Rather have every workshop plus a crew to plan with? This one's included in the DHT Club. If it doesn't work for your classroom, email me. We'll troubleshoot together. Still not worth it? 100% money back, no hard feelings.Grab the workshop
The Essential Questions Workshop
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CHECK OUT THE FAQs
How long does it take?
About an hour of video. Watch it in one sitting or over a few planning periods. You'll leave with a question ready for your next unit.
I don't teach history. Will this work for me?
Yes. History is my home base, but essential questions work in every room. ELA, science, government, psych, econ. The EQ Bank has questions across subjects to get you started.
How do I get it after I buy?
Right after checkout you'll land on a page with your access link. A copy goes to your email too. Check promotions if it's hiding.
Can my school reimburse me?
Most can. It counts for 2 PD hours. Your receipt comes by email, and the school funding page walks you through asking admin.
Is this in the DHT Club?
Yes. It's included in both Club plans, along with the EQ Lab and Q+A with me twice a week. See the Club.
Ready to build the final too?
Once you have your question, Building Better Assessments shows you how to build a final that actually answers it.
What if it's not for me?
Email me. We'll troubleshoot together first. Still not worth it? You get 100% of your money back.
See you on the inside,Drea