Laddered Questions: A strategy for seeking knowledge and wisdom.

1. Laddered Questions: A strategy for seeking knowledge and wisdom. • A “Right There,” or literal/concrete question (surface) • A “Look Deep,” or interpretive question (form) • An “I wonder,” or an abstract question that may extend thinking beyond this particular text (“big idea”) labbatiello@aces.org

2. Which question word would you choose for each of our rungs? • A “Right There,” or literal/concrete question (surface) • A “Look Deep,” or interpretive question (form) • An “I wonder,” or an abstract question that may extend thinking beyond this particular text (“big idea”) • Answer this question in groups of three or four – take notes in your composition book. labbatiello@aces.org

3. Which question word would you choose for each of our rungs? • What? A “Right There,” or literal/concrete question (surface) • How? A “Look Deep,” or interpretive question (form) • Why? An “I wonder,” or an abstract question that may extend thinking beyond this particular text (“big idea”) labbatiello@aces.org

4. Group discussion. What sort of answers will you find using each of the questions words? • What? • How? • Why? labbatiello@aces.org

5. Think about books you have read. • If every text answers a question, what question(s) do you think this text answers? labbatiello@aces.org

6. First question regarding identity: • Do we have an essential self or soul? • Answer this question in your journal – this is personal and I will not force you to share with the class. • I do not want to hear (yet) what others think, tell me what you think. labbatiello@aces.org

7. Tonight’s reading: • “Dialogue with Death” – From the Upanishads. labbatiello@aces.org