Explicitly teaching questioning, as a comprehension strategy, helps students construct meaning from text and to become more thoughtful readers. When good readers read they conduct an inner conversation with themselves and this is done by asking questions. This inner conversation leads to thoughtful, engaged reading that enhances students’ understanding, builds their knowledge and develops their insights. The questions that are part of the inner conversation assist readers to clarify understanding as they read.
Harvey, S. & Goudvis, A. (2001). Questioning the Text. Instructor, 110, 8, 16-18. Website: www.teachingk-8.com
Explicitly teaching grade one students to ask questions – before, during and after – ‘read aloud experiences’ will enhance inferetial comprehension.
Teaching Year 3 students to conduct an inner conversation with the text, by using a questioning strategy before, during and after reading, frames the thinking that improves comprehension.
The explicit teaching of grade two children who have difficulty with the writing process using SAID framework using the questions of who, where, when, what and why together with stimulus pictures will increase the quantity and quality and their writing output.
Dr Sally Godinho, Bradley Shrimpton, “Talking to Learn, Learning to Talk.” This interactive CD-ROM is designed to support pre-service and practising primary school teachers develop small group discussion skills. Each unit has a specific focus, such as developing questioning strategies and building and applying discussion skills, and concludes with some professional development activities.
To purchase the CD-ROM, search online.
