Listening and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions
Listening and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions Objective: Students will practice asking and answering questions about grade-appropriate topics to demonstrate understanding in group discussions.
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to ask clear questions about a topic or story.
- Listen carefully to others and respond appropriately.
- Practice speaking in complete sentences during group activities.
Materials Needed
- Picture cards with familiar scenes or objects
- Simple storybook or short story
- Paper and pencils
Key Vocabulary
- Question
- A sentence that asks for information.
- Answer
- A response to a question.
- Discussion
- A conversation where people share ideas and information.
Detailed Activities
Introduction to Asking Questions
- Show the picture cards one at a time and ask your child to describe what they see.
- Model how to ask a simple question about the picture, such as ‘What is the boy doing?’
- Encourage your child to ask a question about the picture to you.
Story Listening and Questioning
- Read a short story aloud to your child.
- Pause after key parts and ask your child questions about the story, such as ‘Who is the main character?’ or ‘What happened next?’
- Invite your child to ask you questions about the story.
Group Discussion Role-Play
- Pretend to have a small group discussion with your child where you each take turns asking and answering questions about a familiar topic, like favorite animals or foods.
- Encourage your child to listen carefully and respond in full sentences.
- Praise your child for clear questions and thoughtful answers.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- This lesson focuses on improving your child’s listening and speaking skills through asking and answering questions.
- Be patient and give your child plenty of time to think and respond.
- Encourage your child to speak in full sentences to build confidence and clarity.
Assessment Questions
- Can you ask me a question about the story we read?
- What is your answer to this question: What is your favorite animal? Why?
- Can you tell me what someone else said during our discussion?
Extension Ideas
- Record your child asking and answering questions and play it back for review.
- Create a question-and-answer book with your child about a topic they enjoy.
- Invite a family member to join a simple question and answer conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Encourage your child gently and start with simple questions they feel comfortable answering. Praise their efforts to build confidence.
Follow the steps in the lesson plan closely, use everyday conversations to practice, and remember that patience and encouragement are key.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may answer with single words instead of full sentences.
- They might struggle to think of questions to ask.
- Some children may confuse asking questions with making statements.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Provide sentence starters to help form questions and answers.
- Use visual aids like pictures to support understanding.
- Allow extra time to respond and practice in small, quiet settings.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage asking and answering questions with more detail and examples.
- Introduce follow-up questions to deepen discussion.
- Have your child summarize what others say in their own words.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 10-15 minutes on each activity, adjusting based on your child’s attention span.
- Take breaks if your child becomes tired or distracted.
- Repeat activities over several days if needed to reinforce skills.
Standards
- 4.SL.3 — Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
Printable Worksheet
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