"There is NO such thing as a stupid question."
Great Readers Ask Questions
Questions help us clarify and deepen our understanding of the text we are reading.
When do we ask questions? We ask questions before we read, while we read, and after we read.
Questions we can ask BEFORE we read:
Think about our schema - our backpack of knowledge.
Think about how much you understand so far...
Questions we can ask AFTER we read:
We respond, make connections, extend our comprehension, analyze our ideas, and read between the lines.
When do we ask questions? We ask questions before we read, while we read, and after we read.
- "I wonder..."
- "Why?"
- "It confused me..."
- "What if..."
- "I don't understand..."
- "How could..."
- "How is it possible..."
Questions we can ask BEFORE we read:
Think about our schema - our backpack of knowledge.
- What clues does the title reveal?
- What genre of writing does this text represent? Fiction? Nonfiction? Poetry?
- Based on the genre of writing, how will you read this selection?
- What expectations do you have when you read nonfiction? Fiction? Poetry?
- What information do you know about this topic?
- What information could be researched to deepen your understanding of the text?
- Why are you reading this text? What is your goal? What is your purpose for reading?
- What information do you hope this text will include?
- What questions do you hope this text will answer?
- Do you know this author? Have you read other pieces by this author? What do you know about other kinds of writing this author has composed?
- Why do you think this author wrote this text?
- When you scan the text features, including title, headings. illustrations, captions, bold print, italicized phrases, what details can you collect to help you prepare for reading?
Think about how much you understand so far...
- What do you understand from the text you just read?
- Could you summarize its key ideas?
- What are its key ideas? What clues in the text reveal those key ideas?
- Do you need to reread the text in order to understand the ideas? What strategies can you use to unlock the meanings in this text?
- What images can you visualize using text details in order to increase your understanding?
- Do you need to stop and check the dictionary or online resources for any unfamiliar words? Is it essential to know its definition in order to understand the main ideas of the text? Or, can you read on?
Questions we can ask AFTER we read:
We respond, make connections, extend our comprehension, analyze our ideas, and read between the lines.
- Look at your pre-reading questions. Did this text answer those questions?
- Which of your predictions were confirmed?
- What predictions did you change?
- What are the main ideas of the text?
- What "big" ideas can be made using the details from the text?
- What conclusions can you draw from the details in the text?
- What cause and effect relationships were revealed?
- How did the author reveal descriptive information?
- What is the main theme of the text?
- What connections did you make with the information in this text?
- Would you recommend this text to other readers? Why or why not?