Levels of Questions English 11 - Millican

Remember Cinderella? Mean stepmother Mistreated step-daughter Not allowed to go to the Ball Fairy godmother appears Goes to Ball, falls in love with Prince Flees home, loses shoe Prince searches and finds her; they live Happily Ever After….

How would you answer these? What were Cinderella’s slippers made of? How did Cinderella get to the Ball? Why does Cinderella’s stepmother care if she goes to the Ball? Why did everything change back for Cinderella except for the glass slipper? What does it mean to live happily ever after? Does good always overcome evil?

Were ALL of the answers in the text of the story? Which ones were? Which ones weren’t? What do you think that means about questioning?

Levels of Questioning For us: 3 levels All year 

Level I “Level One questions can be answered explicitly by facts contained in the text or by information accessible in other resources.” (The answers to Level One questions are clearly in the text.) What were Cinderella’s slippers made of? How did Cinderella get to the Ball?

Level II “Level Two questions are textually implicit, requiring analysis and interpretation of specific parts of the text.” (The reader must read between the lines for the answers to questions on this level.) (Ask “how” or “why.”) Why does Cinderella’s stepmother care if she goes to the Ball? Why did everything change back for Cinderella except for the glass slipper?

Level III “Level Three questions are much more open-ended and go beyond the text.  They are intended to provoke a discussion of an abstract idea or issue.” (Level Three questions ask So What?/What does it matter?/What’s the REAL meaning of this story? ) What does it mean to live happily ever after? Does good always overcome evil? * It’s important to note – you may or may not know “the answer” to Level 3 questions when you create the question.*

Now it’s your turn.  Take 3 minutes and discuss the story of “The Ugly Duckling” with your partner(s). List the main points If neither of you is familiar with the story, speak with the group next to you. When I say go – create three questions about the story. One per level. Follow the guidelines for each level. 

GO!

Review  Level One questions can be answered explicitly by facts contained in the text or by information accessible in other resources. (The answers to Level One questions are clearly in the text.) Level Two questions are textually implicit, requiring analysis and interpretation of specific parts of the text. (The reader must read between the lines for the answers to questions on this level.) Level Three questions are much more open- ended and go beyond the text.  They are intended to provoke a discussion of an abstract idea or issue. (Level Three questions ask So What?/ What does it matter?/ What’s the REAL meaning of this story?) Use this during the Ugly Duckling practice and during the “Girl” practice (if there is time).

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates Place yourselves in groups of three, and quickly discuss the plot Next, prepare (and write down) a full set (2 of each) of leveled questions. (Make sure that your level III questions are true level IIIs.) Be prepared to use your questions as discussion points regarding the short story.

Review  Level One questions can be answered explicitly by facts contained in the text or by information accessible in other resources. (The answers to Level One questions are clearly in the text.) Level Two questions are textually implicit, requiring analysis and interpretation of specific parts of the text. (The reader must read between the lines for the answers to questions on this level.) Level Three questions are much more open- ended and go beyond the text.  They are intended to provoke a discussion of an abstract idea or issue. (Level Three questions ask So What?/ What does it matter?/ What’s the REAL meaning of this story?) Use this during the Ugly Duckling practice and during the “Girl” practice (if there is time).