Listening and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions
Listening and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions Objective: The student will practice asking and answering questions about a topic or text read aloud, demonstrating understanding through clear responses and active listening.
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to ask questions about a story or topic.
- Practice answering questions clearly and completely.
- Demonstrate active listening by responding appropriately to questions.
Materials Needed
- A short story or picture book appropriate for 1st grade
- Question cards with simple who, what, where, when, why, and how questions
- Paper and crayons or markers
Key Vocabulary
- Question
- A sentence that asks for information.
- Answer
- A response to a question.
- Listen
- To pay attention to sounds or words spoken.
Detailed Activities
Read-Aloud and Question Time
- Read the chosen short story or picture book aloud to the student, showing the pictures to maintain interest.
- Pause during and after the reading to ask simple questions about the story, such as ‘Who is the main character?’ or ‘What happened first?’.
- Encourage the student to ask their own questions about the story to practice formulating questions.
- Use the question cards to guide additional practice; take turns asking and answering these questions.
- Draw a picture of their favorite part of the story and explain why they chose it to practice speaking in full sentences.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to speak in complete sentences when answering questions.
- Be patient and give them time to think before they respond.
- Use positive reinforcement to build confidence in their speaking and listening skills.
Assessment Questions
- Who was the main character in the story?
- What happened at the beginning of the story?
- Can you tell me your favorite part and why?
- Can you ask me a question about the story?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child listen to a short audio story and practice asking and answering questions about it.
- Create a question-and-answer game using family members, where everyone takes turns asking and answering questions.
- Encourage your child to retell the story in their own words to strengthen comprehension and speaking skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with simple questions and praise any attempt to answer. Gradually increase the complexity as their confidence grows. Practice speaking in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.
Choose familiar picture books or stories, and read them together more than once. You can also find question cards or guides that come with the story to help you.
Short daily practice sessions of 10-15 minutes work well. Consistency helps build listening and speaking skills over time.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may answer with one word or incomplete sentences; encourage full sentences gently.
- Some students might repeat questions instead of answering; model correct responses.
- Students might struggle to stay focused; use engaging stories and visuals to maintain interest.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use yes/no questions or offer choices to support comprehension.
- Repeat questions and provide hints or examples to guide responses.
- Use more visuals, such as pictures from the story, to support understanding.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage the student to ask more complex questions about the story’s characters’ feelings or motivations.
- Have them summarize the story or predict what might happen next.
- Practice asking and answering questions about topics beyond the story, such as personal experiences.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Allow extra time for discussion if your child is new to asking and answering questions aloud.
- Keep the pace slow and steady, ensuring the student understands each step before moving on.
- If the child is engaged and progressing quickly, add more challenging questions or extend the discussion.
Standards
- 1.SL.1a — Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions, including listening to others and taking turns speaking.
Printable Worksheet
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