Discussion prep 4 levels of questions

Category 1 – Fact-based questions Can be found directly in the text. Example: “What happened to the third little pig?” or “What did the first little pig build his house out of?” There should be VERY few of these!

Category 2 – Clarification/Cause-Effect questions Frequently start with “What did it mean” or “Why”. Force the reader to make interpretations and inferences. No absolute right or wrong answers in this category. Example: “Why do you think the second little pig used sticks instead of bricks?” or “What did it mean that the villain was a wolf instead of a bear or something else?”

Category 3 – Application and Empathy questions Place the reader in a character’s position by asking what message is apparent in the story. Make the reader explain the text. Example: “If you were one of the little pigs, what material would you use to build a house?” Or “What is the message about working as a team in the story?” or “Explain why rhyme and repetition are used.”

Category 4 – Evaluation Questions Make a final judgment on the overall value of the story. Revisit their thinking in previous questions in order to develop evidence for their position. Example: “Is ‘The Three Little Pigs’ a valuable story for children to read? Why or why not?”