Understanding Essential and Focusing Questions

The video introduces third-grade students to their first Wit and Wisdom lesson, focusing on reading and writing. The teacher recaps a previous assignment where students drew pictures about their feelings on reading. Students share their drawings and discuss their emotions. The lesson then introduces the book 'Thank You, Mr. Falker' and explains three types of questions: essential, focusing, and content framing. These questions help students build knowledge and understanding as they read. The lesson emphasizes the importance of these questions in connecting with the text and discovering the big ideas of the module.

What was the quick assignment given during the class meeting?

• Write a poem about reading

• Draw a picture about how reading a book makes you feel

• List your favorite books

• Create a story about a book character

What did the teacher draw in her picture?

• Her and her son Benny reading

• A tree

• A classroom

• A book

Why does reading to her son make the teacher happy?

• It is a fun activity

• It is a school assignment

• It helps her son sleep

• It fills her heart with love

What is the first thing the class will learn in the lesson?

• How to write a story

• Three different kinds of questions

• How to draw a picture

• The history of books

What book will the class be reading?

• Charlotte's Web

• Thank You, Mr. Falker

• Harry Potter

• The Cat in the Hat

What is the essential question for the module?

• Who is the author of the book?

• Why is reading important?

• What is the main idea of the book?

• How does reading help us build knowledge?

What does the essential question help students discover?

• The author's purpose

• The setting of the story

• The big idea of the module

• The main character of the book

What is the focusing question for the module?

• What does reading mean to Trisha in 'Thank You, Mr. Falker'?

• What is the setting of the story?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the theme of the book?

How do focusing questions help students?

• By listing the characters

• By summarizing the book

• By connecting the text to the big idea

• By providing the answers

What is the content framing question for the day?

• Who is the author?

• What do I notice and wonder about 'Thank You, Mr. Falker'?

• What is the main idea of the book?

• What is the setting of the story?