Open Ended Responses OER

What are Open Ended Questions? Open ended questions are questions that lead to a further discussion or explanation. They are questions that do not have a simple answer like yes or no or a number. Thought Provoking Questions that elicit deeper consideration and use higher level thinking skills.

Why do we teach Open-Ended Responses? To help students understand how to answer questions that delve into deeper understanding of the literature and its content. Allows students to communicate what they know and how they understand what they have read. Students must formulate opinions. There is no wrong answer if you can prove it!!

What does an OER want you to do? Clarify Provide reasons or evidence Make an assumption or inference Realize implications or consequences

How do you know it’s an OER? Questions begin with: HOW? WHAT? WHY?

Examples: HOW does the author create tension in this story? WHY is the main character portrayed as a hero? WHAT evidence is there of conflict between character X and Y? HOW does the author use imagery in the story?

Literary OER Content Figurative Language Theme Characterization Elements of Drama Parts of the Plot: Setting/Climax/ Resolution Making Connections Symbolism Point of View Mood Tone/Attitude Author’s Purpose Motivation Drawing Conclusions Compare/Contrast Cause/Effect

OTHER TYPES OF OER Explain… Judge… Defend… Solve… Create… Develop…

More Examples: How does the setting contribute to the treatment of the African Americans by the Whites? (Watsons Go to Birmingham) Describe Kenny’s feeling about the “Wool Pooh”. Explain how one character’s actions reveal his/her feelings about the circumstances in Birmingham.

How should we answer?? CHUNK: Answer (Answer the Question.) Prove (Choose a Quote to Prove Yourself.) Explain (Explain what you mean or how you feel about it, or make a connection.) Commentary is OPINION!! You can even tell an anecdote, story!!

Let’s Try One!! Why does Byron feel nauseous when the cookie he throws kills the bird?

ANSWER-Answer the ? Why does Byron feel nauseous when the cookie he throws kills the bird? Byron had been throwing stuff at birds since he was little and had never hit one. He never meant to kill the bird, and the idea that he had done just that made him feel sick. Does this response answer the question??

PROVE-“Proof from text” Why does Byron feel nauseous when the cookie he throws kills the bird? In the story it states that he held the bird in one hand and gently brushed the pink frosting off of the dove’s chest. He then started to cry. After throwing up behind the tree, he gave the bird a funeral. Does this quote prove that she has faith in humanity??

EXPLAIN-Your opinion Why does Byron feel nauseous when the cookie he throws kills the bird? Byron was very embarrassed that his little brother had seen him kill a bird. He felt bad for having killed something that was so innocent and beautiful. In the end, he even buried the bird. Does this explain why she believes in humanity?

Response Byron was nauseous because he felt bad about killing the bird. In the story it states that he held the bird in one hand and gently brushed the pink frosting off of the dove’s chest. He then started to cry. After throwing up behind the tree, he gave the bird a funeral. Byron was very embarrassed that his little brother had seen him kill a bird. He felt bad for having killed something that was so innocent and beautiful. This is what a chunk looks like when you put it all together.

Format! You are given a box with 10 lines. You CANNOT write outside of the box. You may not draw extra lines in the box. Your handwriting must be neat and legible. Feel free to think outside of the box…just don’t write there!!

                      The 10 line response sheet.

OER in Math How do we find the circumference of a circle? What are the practical uses for algebra? Why are numbers infinite?

OER in Science What are the reasons for the decrease of lake and river water? How can gravity be proven? What is the process of blood flow through the heart and arteries?

OER in Social Studies What were the results of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation? Why was the Great Wall of China built? How would you compare technology today with advances made during the Industrial Revolution? What similarities are found between the Buddhist of Tibet and the Hopi peoples of the Southwestern United States?

OER in Music What are the purposes for music in life? What are the differences between rock and roll and folk music? Why is the orchestra divided into sections?

OER in Art What effect would the use of light have on a painting? How do you know that Van Gogh had a troubled life? What difference does art make in the lives of ordinary people?

Open ended responses enable you to look more critically at the world around you.

Let’s do this together… Choose one character from The Watsons Go to Birmingham and explain how they are affected by the setting of the drama.

Choose a Character & Brainstorm Kenny Wilona (Momma) Byron Daniel (Dad) Joey Grandma Sands

Find Proof & Create a T-Chart Idea Evidence Byron was so in love with himself that he started Byron told Kenny that he(Byron) must be adopted because it kissing his reflection and got his lips stuck to the window of the just wasn’t possible for two ugly people like Momma and Dad Brown Bomber. to ever give birth to someone as sharp as him! Immediately    after, he was caught with his lips stuck to the window! The Wool Pooh is evil. The Wool Pooh tried to pull Kenny under water. It was also in the church holding on to Joey’s leg when Kenny thought she was dead. This evidence is paraphrased. You will actually need direct quotes to complete your chart. Remember that direct quotes are in “quotation marks” and have a page number in (parentheses).

Put it Together… Answer the Question. Prove it with a Quote. Explain why you think this is the Answer.

NOW…on your own! Explain why The Watsons Go to Birmingham can be considered historical fiction.