Problematic Situation Description A strategy whereby teachers introduce a compelling problem or scenario that establishes a purpose for reading to engage student interest and stimulate inquiry. Purpose Use before, during, and after reading to: • Activate students’ existing background knowledge • Motivate students to want to read text and explore ideas • Make connections to new concepts • Focus readers on the main ideas presented in text • Help readers analyze problem/solution relationships • Ask students to provide supporting evidence Directions 1. Design a motivating, problematic situation to stimulate students’ interest about important information or concepts in the text material they will read. The situation should be authentic and require analytical or evaluative thinking to resolve. As appropriate, include affective components (e.g., emotions, values) in the “problem.” Examples of problematic situations Social Studies Assignment: Read chapter 7, Ratifying the Constitution. As a newspaper reporter in the late 1780s, you have been asked to write an editorial determining if the process established for ratifying the Constitution is fair. The publisher also wants you to discuss whether or not the Constitution should be ratified. Based on your knowledge of that time period, what arguments would you include in your editorial? Science Assignment: Energy article, www.eia.doe.gov/kids/renew/renewables A company called Northeast Energy recognizes the limited supply of fossil fuels and they have been encouraging their clients to conserve energy. While conservation is an important step, at some point in the not-so-distant future, they realize our supplies of fossil fuels will be depleted and we will be forced to rely completely on alternative energy sources. You have been contracted to evaluate the feasibility of using perpetual and renewable energy sources to provide power for their client, particularly solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and nuclear power. They are also interested in any other alternatives to fossil fuels. What information can you provide that will help them in their future planning? 2. Prior to asking students to read one or more text selections, introduce the problematic situation and, in cooperative groups, ask them to brainstorm possible results or solutions to the problem. Suggest each group record their responses and discuss the pros and cons of each solution. Have the groups share their thinking with the whole class. 3. Ask students to read the text selection, looking for information that supports their solutions. 4. Ask students to refine or modify their initial solutions as they gain evidence from their reading. English Language Arts After reading Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby To help students connect with the culture and behaviors of the century before them, set up a problematic situation that involves them in a reenactment of a portion of the novel, such as Jay Gatsby’s party in chapter 3. Mathematics After reading chapter on measurement units, systems, and processes of measurement Create an applied, real-life Problematic Situation that will demonstrate student understanding of key ideas from their reading. Science Before, during, and after reading text and online resources about alternative energy Set up a problematic situation to stimulate student inquiry about the impact of alternative energy. Social Studies After reading about the writing and ratification of the Constitution Have students develop persuasive writing skills in conjunction with the study of Constitutional history by setting up a creative way for them to evaluate the ratification process and communicate their learning,