LEQ: How do I organize a response to a LEQ? Wait…you want me to actually answer that question?

What exactly is a Lesson Essential Question? A Lesson Essential Question, or LEQ, is the driving question behind your lesson. A lesson can last one class period, or sometimes it can last weeks. A Lesson Essential Question has specific vocabulary connected to it. You need to use that vocabulary correctly when answering the LEQ.

Let’s look at an easy LEQ: …yes, they do get more difficult! How do I write a proper CSET? Turn to your partner and discuss the answer to that LEQ. To create the poll: go to http://www.polleverywhere.com. Click the button for create your first poll for free. Then, type in “How do I write a proper CSET?” The students can then try to answer the LEQ and the responses will automatically appear on the screen. (The students will need to follow the directions at the top of the screen on PollEveryWhere to know what number to send it to).

Let’s break down this question. Step 1: What type of question is this? Questions normally start with who, what, when where, why, and how. LEQs almost never start with when, where or who (These types of question don’t require “higher thinking skills.” You are about to enter the REAL WORLD…let’s start thinking please!)

Types of questions: What: These question are asking you to give concrete details. Question: What is your favorite color? Answer: My favorite color is green. How: These questions are asking you to explain the process of something. Question: How do I make a grilled cheese sandwich? Answer: First, I take two pieces of bread out of the wrapper. Then… Why: These questions what you to explain your reasoning or someone else’s reasoning behind something. Question: Why did you do that? Answer: Because she hit me first.

The question is a “How” question. It wants me to explain a process. Our answer to our LEQ could look like this, right? I write a proper CSET by providing a claim, support, evidence, and tie-up.

Well…yes, that DOES answer it, but not well enough. If there is a step 1, there must be at least a step 2. Most of your LEQ questions will be how and why questions. Let’s look at a different question you will see later in the year.

How does the author use plot to develop theme? Step 1: Turn to your partner and discuss what this question wants you to do. Ask for pairs to share out what they think they should do. Hopefully, the looked at step 1 and figured out that it was a how question. How questions want them to figure out a process. Sample response could be: we need to discuss the way the author develops the plot. If response is “What happens in the plot” explain that that wouldn’t answer the how question (we are looking for the way the plot develops in relation to the theme).

Step 2: Analyze the QUESTION *Look for Key Words Remember from the beginning, every LEQ deals with vocabulary. Think of your SLM! What key words (or vocabulary words) are in this question? How does the author use plot to develop theme? Plot: Review the stages of plot (from previous slide) Theme: ask if anyone remembers the term theme. Then explain that those words need to be used in the answer in order to fully answer the question.

Step 3: Rewrite what you think it is asking in your own words The original question says: How does the author use plot to develop a theme? Turn to your partner and rewrite the question in your own words. Consider what graphic organizer & materials you need to help you answer the question. (EVERYTHING we do in class is meant to help you…it’s a matter of you doing the work!) Have pairs share out answers: Talk about step 1: How question--Explain the process that a writer uses Step 2: key words—theme and plot, step 3: The question wants me to explain the process that a writer uses the plot (including the various stages of plot) to develop the theme (or message about humanity).

Step 3/Step 4: Decide what information you need (and find it) We know we need to answer the LEQ, but where does the information come from? The vocabulary needed to answer the LEQ always comes from the word wall. Sometimes, you will need to think about terms that we have learned in the past (for example, we use audience, purpose, and message throughout the year.) Those words may not be on the word wall, but if you have already learned them, you are expected to know how to use them.

Step 5: Prewrite Organize your plan of attack! The better answers are the ones people take time to think about BEFORE answering. Should include VOCAB and Text Support in your prewriting. For every LEQ, we read at least one text (if not multiple texts). You will construct your support and evidence from the text.

Step 5.5: WRITE your ANSWER Follow your prewriting (check off items as you write) Include vocab Include Support and Text Evidence Need a good intro, body, and conclusion (Does this mean each answer is only 3 paragraphs?)

You said Support and Claim. Are all LEQs CSETs? A CSET is a framework or a tool. All good writing starts off with an introduction that includes a claim or a thesis statement, has support & evidence (the middle), and has a conclusion that ties up the paper. Many LEQs are so complex that you need to break it into essay format…but you will still have an introduction-claim, body-support and evidence, and conclusion-tie-up.

How to answer your LEQs! Review Activity: Create a wall of graffiti providing tips to your peers on how to do well with their LEQs this year. Keep your graffiti appropriate and on topic!

Let’s try it with our text features lesson and take it through the LEQ process from Step 1 to 5.5! LEQ: How do authors use text features to help deliver their information to their reader?