Level 1 • Lesson 69 — Asking and answering questions

Objective

Ask and answer simple questions about a text using words like who, what, where, when, why, and how to understand reading better.

Materials

Short story or informational text (1–2 pages)
Question word cards: who, what, where, when, why, how
Paper with two columns: “Questions I ask” and “Answers from the text”
Crayons or markers to circle answers in the text

Mini-lesson — Asking and answering questions

Good readers do not just say the words on the page. They think while they read by asking and answering questions.

Questions help us notice the most important parts of a story or fact page. We can use our question words:

Who is in the story?
What happened?
Where did it happen?
When did it happen?
Why did it happen?
How did it happen or how did it end?

Sometimes we ask questions before we read (“What will this story be about?”). Sometimes we ask questions during the story (“Why did the character do that?”). We can also ask questions after we read to check our understanding.

When we answer a question, we do not just guess. We think about the text and pictures and try to give a full sentence answer, like “The story is about a girl who finds a lost puppy,” instead of just “A girl.”

Today you will practice using who, what, where, when, why, and how to ask simple questions about a story and then answer them by thinking about what you read or heard.

Picture strip: Question cards for a story

Guided Practice — Mini-book: Asking and answering

How to use this mini-book:

Read each page together.
Hold up a question word card that matches the page.
Have your child ask or answer a question in a full sentence.

Keep the tone light — questions are a tool, not a test.

Question words

who what where when why how question answer

Frames: “I wonder ___?” “My question is ___.” “The answer is ___.”

Mini-Book: Asking and answering questions

1

Questions in our heads

As we read, little questions pop up in our heads. We might wonder who a new character is or why they did something.

What is one question you had while reading a story?

2

Who and what

“Who” questions ask about people or characters. “What” questions ask about actions or things that happen in the story.

Ask a “who” question about a story you know.

3

Where and when

“Where” questions ask about places. “When” questions ask about time, like morning, night, or winter.

Ask a “where” question about a favorite story.

4

Why and how

“Why” questions ask for reasons. “How” questions ask how something worked or how a problem was solved.

Ask a “why” or “how” question about a character.

5

Finding answers

We can find answers by looking back at the text, thinking about the pictures, and using our own good thinking.

Where could you look to find an answer?

6

Taking turns

In a reading talk, we take turns asking and answering. Everyone gets a chance to wonder and to share an answer.

Ask me a question about a book we read.

Reading Practice — Questions about reading

Read each situation about asking and answering questions. Choose the best answer. Then press “Check answers”.

1) Which is a good who question?

2) You want to know where the story takes place.
What question could you ask?

3) “Why did the boy run home?” is a question about…

4) You are not sure of an answer to a question about the story.
What can you do?

5) Which question is about the story?

6) The question is, “Who helped the cat?”
Which answer is best?

7) During reading time, how can you help question time go well?

8) After reading, which sentence shows that questions helped you?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) Why do readers ask questions about a story?

To make the story longer for no reason To understand the story and think about it To stop listening to the story

2) Which word usually starts a question about people?

where when who

3) A question that starts with “where” is asking about…

the place the number the color

4) Which is a good question to ask after reading?

“What is 10 + 10?” “What was the big problem in the story?” “What did I eat yesterday?”

5) The question is, “When did the story happen?” Which answer fits best?

“It was in a big house.” “The girl had a dog.” “It happened at night.”

6) Where can you usually find answers to most story questions?

In the text and pictures Only in a random guess Only on a different page in another book

7) What should you do when someone else is answering a question?

Talk over them Listen quietly and wait your turn Leave the room

8) Which pair is a question and answer that match?

Q: “Where is the cat?” A: “Because it was raining.” Q: “Why was she happy?” A: “In the park.” Q: “Who found the kite?” A: “The boy found the kite.”

9) If you feel shy about asking questions, you can…

practice asking one small question at a time never ask any questions again only ask questions that are not about the story

10) To get better at asking and answering questions, you can…

skip question time practice using who, what, where, when, why, and how after reading only ask questions about toys

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can ask simple who/what/where questions about a story Can answer basic questions using information from the text Can use question words correctly in speech Takes turns asking and answering during reading time Is beginning to see that questions help with understanding

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can ask and answer questions about what I read 🙂 I need more practice with questions 😅 Questions about reading still feel tricky

I will practice…

Using who, what, where, when, why, and how Looking back at the text for answers Taking turns asking and answering

Lesson 69: Asking and answering questions