Content-focused essential question(s):
How does an author convey meaning?
How does understanding the conventions of a genre help us gather meaning?
How does analysis of text deepen our understanding of an author’s message?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What is wellness? What does it mean to be emotionally, mentally, or physically healthy?
How does a community -a school, home, or workplace- demonstrate its values about emotional and physical health?
How are physical and emotional/mental health related?
How does transparency impact mental/emotional health?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How do a writer’s choices about structure impact the readability of text?
How does understanding the conventions of a genre help us gather meaning?
How do I determine if one argument is better than another?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What are the qualities of an effective leader?
How do we improve the communities in which we live and work? How does a member of a community become a change agent?
How does each of us improve the wellbeing of those within our spheres of influence?
How does an individual create and leave a legacy?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What impact does an act of kindness have in a community? What impact does it have on an individual?
What motivates us to be kind? What deters people from choosing to be kind?
How does group thinking or peer pressure influence our decisions to be kind?
Can an adult be taught to be kind? Can an individual or a group unlearn cruel patterns of behavior?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How does a writer create an interesting/engaging experience for a reader?
Which strategies/techniques make it easier to access meaning?
How do I determine if one argument is better than another?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How do a writer’s choices about structure impact the readability of text?
How does rhetoric refine an argument?
How do I determine if one argument is better than another?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What does it mean to be successful/ financially secure/stable?
How does goal setting impact our chances of achieving financial success?
How do communities organize to improve their well being and financial status?
Can financial equity be realized in the United States?
How does targeted advertising impact our pockets?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How do I use text details to determine what is important when I read?
How do I use details effectively to make arguments when I write?
How does an author’s choice of words make an impact on me as a reader?
How can I choose words carefully to make an impact as a writer?
How do I determine whether one argument is better than another?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What is climate change?
How does climate change affect our world? How does climate change affect human society?
What can we do to address climate change?
How important is recycling for the environment?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How do a writer’s choices about structure impact the readability of text?
How does rhetoric refine an argument?
How do I determine if one argument is better than another?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
What causes crime? What are the root causes of conflict?
How do we resolve conflict in our homes and in our communities?
How do we learn our conflict management style?
Content-focused essential question(s):
How do a writer’s choices about structure impact the readability of text?
How do I determine if one argument is better than another?
Thematically-focused essential question(s):
Where do we see ourselves reflected in our city?
How do we contribute to the city in which we live?