Here is a list of some general questions you can use with your children when reading a book together.
Below are leveled comprehension discussion starters to use with your child when reading at home. As you progress through the levels, the discussion starters will increase in difficulty. Happy Reading!!!
Level 1 Remembering: can the student recall or remember the information?
Where did...
What is...
Who was/were...
Locate in the story where...
List the...
Level 2 Understanding: can the student explain ideas or concepts?
Tell me in your own words...
What does it mean...
Give me an example of...
Describe what...
Illustrate the part of the story that...
What does the word____________mean?
Make a map of...
Level 3 Applying: can the student use the information in a new way?
What would happen to you if...
Would you have done the same as...
If you were there would you...
How would you solve this problem in your life?
In the Library, find information about...
Level 4 Analyzing: can the student distinguish between the different parts?
What things would you have used...
What other ways could...
What other things are similar/different...
What part of this story was most exciting, funny, sad...
What things could not have happened in real life?
What kind of person is...
What was the message the author was trying to give us?
Level 5 Evaluating: can the student justify a stand or decision?
Would you recommend this book to your friend? Why/Why not?
What do you think will happen to _________? Why do you think that?
Could this story really have happened? Why/ why not?
Which person in the story would you most like to meet? Why?
Level 6 Creating: can the student create a new product or point of view?
Activities would include such things as: constructing, creating, designing, developing, or writing.
INFERRING
(for a narrative text) Can you predict what is about to happen next? Why did
you make that prediction? Can you point to something in the book that helped
you to make that prediction? OR What do you already know that helped you
make that prediction?
Why did (the character) do that?
What did the author mean by ____________________?
(Character name) must be feeling ____________. Are there clues that
help us to know that?
What’s going to happen next?
What must have taken place before _______________? Is there
evidence in the story that helps you to know that?
What do you think that (character) meant by __________? … felt about
__________? … thought about ______________? … will do about ________?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARIZING
In general, what is this story about?
What is the problem to be solved in this story? Is there a solution?
What has happened so far?
Who did what? What makes you think so?
What do you wonder about after reading so far?
What is the most important point in this story or passage?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
SYNTHESIZING Is there anything you understand in a new way from reading this story?
What ideas (or concepts, of feelings) are most interesting to you?
Why?
Does (a historical event or personal experience) make more sense after reading
this?
What is something that you understand better after reading this?
What is confusing about this story or event?
What picture comes to your mind when thinking about how (character)
________?
What are the reasons that _______________happened?
Does this book make you think of anything that has happened to you?
Does this story remind you of anything else you have read?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ANALYZING What things would make everyone like this book?
Describe the writing style of this author.
The author makes you feel as if you were there by _____________.
What are some examples of rich, colorful, or great language that makes
this a good passage to read?
What are the critical points in the plot? How doe4s the story unfold?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
CRITIQUING Would people in your life act this way?
What is unbelievable about this text?
Should other kids read this? Why or why not?
What makes this (book, story, biography) authentic or real?
What important information is missing?
What would have made this story more interesting to read?
What parts of the story show the attitude of the author?
What are the words or phrases that you really liked? That made you
feel?