Since we are all different…

…have had different experiences…

…have different interests…

…have different dreams…

…some prompts will generate more ideas than

others. Nonetheless, you need to come up with

at least ONE idea per page.

When you have the time to do whatever you

want, what do you LOVE to do?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

What are the things you already know A LOT

about?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

We all have talents.

What do you consider yourself good at?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

What activities are you already involved in?

What hobbies do you already have?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

Where have you traveled to?

Which places were the most fun or interesting to visit?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

What makes you nervous or worried?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

Who do you admire (past or present)?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

What sport, hobby, or other activity do you wish

you were better at?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

What is something you haven’t tried

but really want to?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

If you could travel to and/or explore any place

(in the world, in space, etc.) what would it be?

Come up with at least ONE idea per page.

Look over your list of brainstormed ideas and ask yourself the following questions:

Are there any other ideas you want to add?

Are there any ideas you want to get rid of?

Are there any ideas that are similar and can be grouped together?

Now, looking over your edited list of brainstormed ideas, determine the top THREE topics you would be MOST

interested in exploring.

About these three topics, ask yourself:

What do I want to learn about this topic?

What do I want to be able to do with the information I find about this topic?

What do I want to create with the information I find about this topic?

Using your answers to the questions on the

previous slide, you will create a Guiding

Question.

The purpose of a Guiding Question is to provide

a focus for understanding a topic.

A Guiding Question should contain few words,

but demand a lot for the answer.

For instance, someone who is interested in dogs might consider the

following Guiding Questions:

How do I train my German Shepherd to do tricks?

Why do some breeds of dogs get hip dysplasia?

How do dogs perceive the world differently than humans?

Notice how the questions are asking about a specific topic (training; hip

dysplasia; dogs’ perception) so that the person is not researching

everything there is to know about dogs.

Even though a Guiding Question is used to narrow down a broad topic

(“dogs” to “training German Shepherds”), the danger is in making the

Guiding Question too specific. For example:

How do I make my dog sit?

How many breeds of dogs are there?

Do dogs see in black and white?

Notice how these Guiding Questions can be answered in one or two

sentences. A Guiding Question that is too specific is too quickly

answered. That means, there will not be enough information to create

an interesting and purposeful final project.

Final hints in writing a Guiding Question:

Try to begin your question with the words:

“How do…” or “Why do…” or “What do…”

Make sure your question has an area of focus and is not asking you to find

out everything about a topic.

(ie – “cars” versus “NASCAR engines”)

Make sure your question is not too focused and asks for only one thing.

(ie – “How do I make my dog sit?” versus “How do I make my dog do tricks?”)