What is an essential question?

When learning with an essential question, you have to think critically. Instead of simply looking up answers, you must study, conduct independent research based on what interests you, you must think, and create original answers that are meaningful to you. An essential question:

1. provokes deep thought.

2. solicits information-gathering and evaluation of data.

3. results in an original answer.

4. helps students conduct problem-related research.

5. makes students produce original ideas rather than predetermined answers.

6. may not have an answer.

7. encourages critical thinking not just memorization of facts.

More on the meaning and purpose of essential questions through the eyes of assessment guru Grant Wiggins on the Authentic Education Website HERE.

Scholastic explains the essential question HERE.
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Understanding Checks and Tickets Out the Door

Many teachers struggle with closure. It’s always a challenge to stop the lesson in time at the end of the period to sum up the day’s learning and reflect on whether or not we have achieved our desired outcomes. One powerful strategy for gathering data about student learning at the end of a learning episode is the exit ticket. An exit ticket gives me formative data about where you--the student learner-- are in their learning and should inform choices I make as a teacher about subsequent lesson plans. 

Here are some great Exit Ticket templates that I may use: http://wgbyeducation.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/exitslips.pdf

And here is a Pinterest board that I've used to inspire my daily checks: http://www.pinterest.com/jills1105/exit-tickets/