3H Reading Comprehension Strategy
‘Here’ Question Stems
Comprehension Strategy – Here Hidden Head Questions
‘Here Questions’ are those where you can physically place your finger on the answer i.e. ‘The answer is here!’ They are sometimes referred to as ‘low level’ or ‘knowledge-based’ questions.
Here are two pages of question stems that I use in my reading sessions to improve reading comprehension.
How to Use this Guide:
– When running a Guided Reading Session have these question stems next to you and formulate appropriate questions as you see a context.
– hand these question stems to your group and ask them to, ‘Pretend that you are a nasty, nasty teacher who lives only to make children suffer. Use these questions stems & try your hardest to ‘stump’ them but also improve their comprehension of what is read’ – You might be surprised how well your students rise to this challenge 🙂
– Have other groups answer the questions.
Here Question Stems:
– What color is…?
– What did (character) do when…?
– Who…(action)?
– When did… (action happen)?
– Where did/does (an action occur)?
– Where did/does (object) come from?
– Where did/does (character) come from?
– How many…?
– How much…?
– List 5…
– What happened at the beginning of the text?
– What happened next?
– What happened after that?
– What happened at the end of the text?
– What happened after (action)?
– What happened after (character) spoke these words (words spoken)?
– What happened when (character) (action)?
– What happened just before (action)?
– Where did (character) go after (action)?
– What did (character) do when (action)?
– What was (object) used for?
– Where is (object) located?
– What were (objects) used for?
– Who spoke to (character) at (place)?
– Who spoke the words (quote)?
– Where did (character) keep…?
– List 3 things (character) did at (location)
– What character… (did particular action)? or (was a verb)?
– Tell me who showed (an emotion)
– Name the character who…
– Define…
– What words support your answer?
– Find the words the author has used to describe a smell.
– Find the words the author has used to describe how something feels.
– Find the words the author has used to describe how something tastes.
– What words has the author used to help us build a picture in our minds of what (location) looks like?
– List the words the author has used to help us build a picture in our minds of what (character) looks like?
– How does (character) react when (situation)?
– How does (character) react when (another character) says (quote)?
– What words tell us EXACTLY how something is said? e.g. whispered, screamed, etc
– What words has the author used to describe the movement of (character)?
– What words has the author used to describe the movement of (object)?
– Find the word in this (sentence/paragraph) that means (definition).
– Where has the author used words that indicate the passing of time?
– Show me proof…
– Why did (action) occur?
– Is (statement about the text) true or false? Explain why you think this.
– Write almost correct statements about the text. Students decide how accurate the statements are and find evidence in the text to support their views.
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