Step Two: What do students know and need to know about this problem?As a group identify: what we know and what we need to know. This is the step for generating student questions about the problem that will guide research and introduce inquiry into the unit.
Sample: Identify the know and the need to know |
Tools to Use:
Ipad
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To Do:1. Brainstorm
With your group brainstorm: What do we currently know about this problem? Choose a recorder who records your group's statements using any text or note taking app. Continue to brainstorm until time is called. Brainstorming Rules:
Now with your group brainstorm: What do we need to know in order to address this problem? 2. Share In your group choose a reporter who will share out to the group. Stand Up and Share: Group reporters from each group stand and share one idea at a time in a go around until all ideas in the class have been shared. Record on a whiteboard (Twiddla) for easy movement. |
Behind the Scenes
Collecting the Class Ideas
Collect the class knows and need to knows in a space they can all access. Groups will rearrange this information later, so a Google Doc, SMART Notebook File, or an whiteboard app such as Educreations (iPad), Whiteboard Lite (iPad or Android), or SMART NBK Express (laptop or Chromebook) is a good option. A whiteboard document that can be shared with students is also a good choice.
Meeting Standards with the Problem
How do you ensure your students are meeting the content standards you have identified while completing a problem-based lesson?
Strategies for Group Participation
If you find groups have 1 or 2 members who are not sharing their ideas during brainstorming, consider using a cooperative strategy where all group members are required to participate:
Talking Chips
Round Robin Brainstorming
Collect the class knows and need to knows in a space they can all access. Groups will rearrange this information later, so a Google Doc, SMART Notebook File, or an whiteboard app such as Educreations (iPad), Whiteboard Lite (iPad or Android), or SMART NBK Express (laptop or Chromebook) is a good option. A whiteboard document that can be shared with students is also a good choice.
Meeting Standards with the Problem
How do you ensure your students are meeting the content standards you have identified while completing a problem-based lesson?
- You might be surprised that in most cases students identify the content knowledge in the questions they ask while deciding what they need to know. If there are still areas you would like to see included, facilitate the know and need to step by asking questions that will lead students to consider the content you have identified.
- If students are not moving in the direction of your content standards, provide additional information about the task that requires students to address the content. For example giving students completing the Heart Healthy Schools Task an RFP - request for proposals will require students to include information from the science standards. However, this options does constrain the problem and push this project closer to a project-based approach.
- Place content descriptors in your scoring rubric.
- When students are not seeming to understand content during their research, stop and teach a mini lesson or lead an additional inquiry.
Strategies for Group Participation
If you find groups have 1 or 2 members who are not sharing their ideas during brainstorming, consider using a cooperative strategy where all group members are required to participate:
Talking Chips
Round Robin Brainstorming