Start with a guided exploration of a topic as a whole class. Proceed to student small group inquiry about an open-ended, debatable, contended issue. Encourage students to ask personally relevant and socially significant questions. Work in groups to achieve diversity of views. Predict, set goals, define outcomes.
Instruction serves as a guide to help students meet their goals.
Create a tangible artifact that addresses the issue, answers questions, and makes learning visible and accountable. Learning is actualized and accountable in the design accomplishment. Document, justify, and share conclusion with larger audience. By bringing the students' own background and experiences to the learning table, students will find ways to connect to the topic and will have activated some basis for creating meaning with the text they are reading. The personal connection to learning increases a student's motivation to explore, read, and struggle with difficulties as they arise.