Discussion Prompts
The goal of all reading is to enjoy the text and form a new understanding about oneself and one's world. Questions invite students to make personal connections, but also to think about elements such as characters, plot, theme, perspective, and language.
While thoughtful questioning is an effective strategy, it can be overdone. Questioning is best when it fosters students' own thinking.
Here are some sample questions to discuss while reading with your child:
Where and when does the story take place?
Where else could the story take place?
What words did the author use to describe the setting?
How is the setting like another place you know?
Who is the most interesting character in the story? Why?
What character is the funniest? Bravest? Fairest?
What choices does the character have?
How do the characters feel about each other?
Are the characters believable? Why or why not?
What is the story problem? How do you think it will be solved?
What are the important events in the story?
How did the story end?
What do you think will happen next for the characters after the story ends?
What is the author's message?
Why do you think the author wrote this story?
How does this story make you feel?
Have you ever had a similar experience?
Does the book remind you of another book?
What does this story make you think or wonder about?
While thoughtful questioning is an effective strategy, it can be overdone. Questioning is best when it fosters students' own thinking.
Here are some sample questions to discuss while reading with your child:
Where and when does the story take place?
Where else could the story take place?
What words did the author use to describe the setting?
How is the setting like another place you know?
Who is the most interesting character in the story? Why?
What character is the funniest? Bravest? Fairest?
What choices does the character have?
How do the characters feel about each other?
Are the characters believable? Why or why not?
What is the story problem? How do you think it will be solved?
What are the important events in the story?
How did the story end?
What do you think will happen next for the characters after the story ends?
What is the author's message?
Why do you think the author wrote this story?
How does this story make you feel?
Have you ever had a similar experience?
Does the book remind you of another book?
What does this story make you think or wonder about?