Asking Questions Before, During, and After Reading

Ask questions at each stage of reading to stay curious and understand more deeply.

Asking questions keeps your brain active while you read. Before reading, look at the title, pictures, and headings, and ask what you think the text will be about or what you want to learn. During reading, ask about confusing parts or what might happen next: 'Why did the character do that? ' After reading, ask what the most important idea was and what you still wonder about.

Some answers are 'right there' in one sentence. Others need you to 'think and search' across several parts. Some need you to combine the text with your own ideas. For example, after reading about honeybees, you might ask, 'How do bees find their way back to the hive? ' and search the text for the answer.

• 1Ask questions before, during, and after reading.
• 2Some answers are right there; others need searching or thinking.
• 3Questions keep you curious and focused.