1. Discussion prep
4 levels of questions

2. 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!

3. 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?”

4. 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.”

5. 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?”