Creating Questions

What is a Zoom-In Inquiry?

Zoom-In Inquiry is often an introduction portion of a lesson. During this activity, students uncover a primary source image piece by piece in order to understand a big idea or theme related to curriculum standards. An investigative question starts the exploration and guiding questions focused on observation, interpretation, and evaluation follow as pieces of the image are revealed one at a time. Students use evidence and subject specific vocabulary to support their hypotheses. Students reflect on their understanding of the primary source and its relationship to “the big picture” or a large scale understanding that is overarching and essential to the subject. Finally, other related primary sources are presented that ask students to apply knowledge and understanding from the Zoom-In Inquiry to a new source or problem.

How do I insert the questions?

Insert a text box on each slide in a Zoom-In. On the first slide, type the directions for students. (Example: Examine the primary source clues carefully. Determine what you see and what questions you might ask to get the “big picture.”) On the next slide, present your investigative question. On subsequent slides, add the questions that will lead the students down the path of inquiry toward reaching the “big picture” or understanding goal.  Always spiral questions from the concrete to the abstract.

How can I differentiate my Zoom-In Inquiry?

Zoom-In Inquiry slide shows can be differentiated in several ways. First, you can differentiate the questions by adding multiple choice answers or highlighting (by change in color, underlining, etc.) essential vocabulary. You can also differentiate the process by manipulating the groups during the presentation in one of the following ways: allow students to discuss questions in small groups before the whole class discussion; assign students to answer particular questions (e.g. concrete questions for lower level students and abstract questions for higher level students); or allow students time to reflect and record answers in a journal.

Sample Investigative Questions:

What might primary sources tell us about ___________________?

What might we learn about ______________ from primary sources?

Sample Guiding Questions:

Observation Questions

  • What do you see?
  • Describe who/what you see in this image.
  • What new people or things to you see?
  • What actions do you see?
  • What new things do you see now?

Interpretation Questions

  • When do you think this image was taken?
  • Make a hypothesis about what is happening in this picture.
  • What do you think happened before this picture was taken?

Evaluation Questions

  • How did your perception of the image change as you saw more of it?
  • Why do you think this image was created?
  • What questions did this image leave you with?

Sample “Big Picture” Understandings:

What does this image say about the relationship between _______ and ______?

Based on this image, how can you explain the impact of _______ on ________?

What do you understand about the role of __________ in our nation’s history?

How is _______________ applied to _______________?