1. National Standards & Essential Questions Why We Teach What We Teach

2. Why Promote National Standards Are aligned with college and work expectations; Are clear, understandable and consistent; Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills; Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and Are evidence-based. Education World (2010)

3. Essential Questions

4. Developing Essential Questions Guidelines: Is the question open-ended? Does the question focus the performance? Does the question authenticate the performance by connecting it to “outside of school”? Does the question provide a basis for discussion to generate interest? Will the essential question peak interest in students? Rogers & Graham, 2003, p. 122

5. Examples of Essential Questions 1. What are the positive economic and ecological consequences of not protecting the Spotted Owl? 2. How do we benefit from animals raised on farms in our area? 3. How can packagers determine the most economical packages?

6. References Education World. (2010). National and state standards. Retrieved July 30, 2010 from http://www.educationworld.com/standards/ http://www.educationworld.com/standards/ Essential Questions. Retrieved August 1, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSAXzebLZj0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSAXzebLZj0