Passion Problem Lesson Plan Finding the Problem in Your Passion
Lesson Facilitation Guide
Duration: 30 Minutes
Why This Matters
This lesson helps students connect their personal passions to academic inquiry, making learning more relevant and engaging. It builds foundational skills in problem identification and question formulation, crucial for critical thinking and future project-based learning.
Objective
Students will be able to identify a problem related to their chosen interest and formulate an open-ended research question to guide their inquiry.
Preparation
Review the slide deck and familiarize yourself with the question-crafting examples.
Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for the slide deck.
Print copies of the Question Formulation Worksheet and Exit Ticket (1 per student).
Materials List
Slide Deck on Crafting Questions
Question Formulation Worksheet
Exit Ticket: My Research Question
Whiteboard Markers / Student Pens
Lesson Flow
5m
Warm-Up: Share Your Passion
Review & Connect
Begin by asking students: "What's something you're really passionate about? A hobby, a game, a cause, a topic?"
Allow 2-3 students to briefly share their passions with the class. Connect this to the idea that our passions can often lead us to interesting problems.
10m
Understanding Problems & Questions
Model & Define
Present the Slide Deck on Crafting Questions :
What's a Problem? Discuss how 'problems' in research aren't always negative, but areas to investigate or improve. Give examples like video game graphics or school lunches.
Why Open-Ended? Explain that open-ended questions start with How, Why, What... and lead to deeper exploration than Yes/No questions.
10m
Worksheet: From Passion to Problem
Draft & Revise
Distribute the Question Formulation Worksheet .
Guide students through identifying a problem within their passion and crafting a draft question. Circulate and encourage students to think broadly about what constitutes a "problem" (e.g., a curiosity, a mystery, an inefficiency).
5m
Share & Reflect
Peer Feedback & Finalize
Ask a few students to share their question. Provide brief feedback: Is it open-ended? Is it researchable?
Distribute the Exit Ticket for students to finalize and submit their best research question.
Crafting Questions Slides Finding the Problem in Your Passion
Turning What You Love into Amazing Discoveries
What's a Problem in Research?
A problem isn't always negative!
It can be:
Something you're curious about
Something you want to understand better
Something you think could be improved
A mystery to solve!
Reflect:
Think about your passion. Is there anything you wonder about or want to change?
Why Open-Ended Questions?
Open-ended questions are like keys to unlocking big ideas!
Can't be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no.'
They make you think more deeply.
Start with words like:
How Why What In what ways...
Passion to Problem: Examples!
Passion: Video Games
Too Simple:
"Do people like video games?"
Better:
"How do different types of video games affect players' problem-solving skills?"
Passion: Animals
Too Simple:
"Are dogs smart?"
Better:
"What are the most effective strategies for training different breeds of dogs?"
Now, think about YOUR passion!
Question Formulation Worksheet From Passion to Problem
Question Formulation Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Today, you are turning what you love into a big question to investigate. Follow the steps below to draft your research question.
1
My Passion
What is something you are really interested in, passionate about, or curious about? It could be a hobby, a topic, a game, a cause, or anything that sparks your interest!
My passion is...
2
Identifying a Problem or Question
Is there something about your passion that you wonder about, want to understand better, or think could be improved? Remember: A research "problem" is just an area to explore or a mystery to solve.
A problem / question I see:
3
Crafting an Open-Ended Research Question
Turn that problem into a question that starts with How, Why, What, To what extent, or In what ways...
My Open-Ended Research Question
Avoids Yes/No answers
Guides deep investigation
Research Question Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
My Final Research Question
Name:
Date:
Final Draft
Based on today's lesson and your personal passion, write down your best open-ended research question . Remember, it should be a question that requires more than a "yes" or "no" answer and will guide a future investigation.
My Question:
Self-Check
Does it start with How, Why, or What?
Is it more than a Yes/No question?
"Curiosity is the engine of achievement."