Asking Questions

Asking Questions Thin questions Thick questions

Why do readers ask questions • Good readers approach reading passages and stories with questions. • Asking questions before, during, and after reading can help you understand what you have read.

Two Kinds of questions Thin Questions Thick Questions

Thin Questions

Thin Questions • Thin Questions are right there for you to find in the text. • You can find the answers to these questions by re-reading. • Thin Questions might begin with “Who?”, “What?”, “Where”, “When”, and “How Many?”

“The Gift” passage I couldn’t wait to see my parents. When school was over, I grabbed a snack and sat down to rest on the couch. Just as I turned on the television, I heard a car pull into the driveway. I quickly jumped up and looked out the window. I was excited because my parents told me they were bringing me a surprise. Finally, they had arrived. I watched my mom and dad get out of the car and I noticed there was something in my mother’s hand. What could it be? I thought I saw it move.

Thin Questions for “The Gift” Passage • “What was the first thing Julie did when she got home from school?” • “Who was holding Julie’s surprise?” • “Where was the story taking place?” • “What did Julie do when she heard the car pull into the driveway?” These are Thin Questions because answers can be found “right there” in the text.

Thick Questions

Thick Questions • Thick Questions cannot be found by re-reading. The author might give you hints, but does not directly give you the answer. You have to think about these questions. • You may have to relate these questions to yourself or your life. • Thick Questions might begin with “Why do you think___?”, “How would you feel if__?”, “Would you____?”, “Do you think____?”

“Starring Jules” Passage I wake up with a giant pain in my stomach. “Mommy!” I yell, which does not bring my mom, but does bring my brother. “What Jules?” he says with his hands asking the question, like a grown-up. Sometimes I think Big Henry is more like a parent than a little boy. “Tell Mommy I have a Charlotte-ache,” I say. Big Henry leaves and I pull the covers over my head and wait. “A Charlotte-ache?” my mom says, standing over my head. She has not yet pulled the covers off of me, and I know it’s coming. I nod. “So we’re talking about a stomachache, right?” she asks. I nod again.

Thick questions for “Starring Jules” passage • “Why do you thinkshe called her stomach-ache a ‘Charlotte-ache’”? • Does the author tell us the answer specifically? No. We have to think about it. • “How would you feelif you were Jules?” • Thick questions may relate to you or your life.

“Starring Jules” Passage “Okay, calm down,” my mom says, sitting on my bed and putting both of her hands sounds like you already know what Charlotte is going to say.” “So?” “So that means you can prepare what you want to say right now, so you don’t have when she says these things.” “What should I say?” I ask, knowing that she will not tell me. “What do you want to say?” she asks. I knew it. “That the movie is so going to happen and that broken bones heal fast, especially when hockey star and part movie star,” I say. “Is that it?” “And that it gives me time to work on my own secret project,” I say. “Okay,” my mom says. “Good then. All set?” I think for minute. The Charlotte-ache seems to be over. I nod. “I guess so,” I say.

Thick questions for “Starring Jules” passage • “What ifJules forgets what she wants to say when she talks to Charlotte?” • “Have you ever given someone good advice?” • “Would youtalk to Charlotte or avoid her?”

Asking Questions – Practice When I read _____________________________________________ I wondered _______________________________________________ because _______________________________________________

“The gift” passage I couldn’t wait to see my parents. When school was over, I grabbed a snack and sat down to rest on the couch. Just as I turned on the television, I heard a car pull into the driveway. I quickly jumped up and looked out the window. I was excited because my parents told me they were bringing me a surprise. Finally, they had arrived. I watched my mom and dad get out of the car and I noticed there was something in my mother’s hand. What could it be? I thought I saw it move.

Asking questions practice - Examples When I read That the character couldn’t wait to see her parents I wondered Why she was so excited because maybe her parents had been on a trip

Asking questions practice - Examples When I read That the character heard a car pull into the driveway I wondered who it was because it could be her parents coming home

Asking questions practice - Examples When I read That the character would get a surprise I wondered How I would feel if I was going to get a surprise because I think I would feel happy/excited/nervous.

Asking questions practice - Examples When I read That the surprise was moving I wondered What if it is an animal because An animal would make a good surprise.

Asking Questions