Craig has shared how he has been developing the use of these type of questions in history:
We have been looking at ways to develop student responses to iceberg questions which require a three part answer. The question gives the students a statement and requires them to explain how far they agree with it.
The diagram below demonstrates the approach the students should take generally and can be used in conjunction with the grid (also below) which takes students through a specific example for answering this question type.
This type of approach is being developed in assessments at KS3 to allow students to become familiar with the question and how best to tackle it. This question type appears on our GCSE exam, by embedding the skills at KS3 we are hoping to improve student responses to these questions.
The table is tailored to a specific question but can easily be adapted and tailored to other questions which use the same format. Differentiated versions can be used and higher ability students can be given versions without relevant content so that they can plan answers themselves.
Learning and Teaching at Abbot Beyne 