Reading: Questioning

We should get in the hang of asking questions when we read. We ask questions all the time. For example, almost everyday one of you asks me for permission to use the bathroom, and almost everyday, you ask your parent or guardian for something. Basically, you are already great at asking questions!

When we read, it helps us to be active readers when we ask meaningful questions about what we read. We should question character motivation, character actions, and character decision-making. Not only should we focus our question on the characters or on events in the characters' lives, but we should also begin thinking about the author.

Yes, the author made specific decisions about his characters, and we should think as much about the author's decision-making as we do about a character's decision-making. For example, we need to begin asking questions about author's purpose and author's craft. It would be helpful trying to understand why an author decides to use a specific point of view or why he uses specific language or words. Knowing this information might help us understand the book even better.