Exploration 14: Choosing an Investigative Question Investigative Question

William Clark's compass on chain

William Clark's compass on chain Brass, jasper, glass, paint William Clark's magnet, ca. 1802
Iron, paint Courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, Library of Congress, Exhibitions, Rivers, Edens, Empires.

Understanding Goal Understanding Goal

Investigative Questions are the compass that directs students toward the landmark understanding goals. An Investigative Question is the large objective of the lesson stated in terms that engage and guide student inquiry.

Investigative Question Investigative Question

How do educators choose Investigative Questions?

Background Information

  •  Good investigations guide students along journey always pointing toward the landmark Understanding Goals.
  • Investigative Questions focus, challenge, and inspire students to travel through a Learning Experience to answer the question.
  • Investigative Questions help students know when they have arrived at the end of an exploration through the ability to answer the Investigation Question.
  • Investigative Questions help student travelers recognize progress toward reaching the landmark Understanding Goals.

Patron Actions

Read the description and criteria for Investigative Questions from the Peer Review Rubric on page 83 in Chapter 6.

Steps to Developing Investigative Questions

  1. Revisit the list of the knowledge and skills that are tested or priorities for assessment from a unit of study used to create an Understanding Goal.
  2. Consider the smaller titles that knowledge and skills fit under before reaching the overarching Understanding Goal. One of these smaller titles may be a good Investigative Question.
  3. Assess if the investigation question guides students in learning information and practicing skills that are essential to this unit of study and to working in the subject.
  4. Test the Investigative Question for practical use:
    • Is the Investigative Question written in language to engage students?
    • Is it likely that Investigative Question would make sense to students?
    • Is this Investigative Question related to pursuit of the Understanding Goal for the lesson and relevant to the activities students will complete in the lesson?