Reading Strategy: Ask Questions

Do you ever get confused when you read? Then ask yourself questions about what you are reading. Look for the answers in the text.

Reading Strategy: Ask Questions
    How to Self-Question

  • 1. As you read, ask yourself questions about the text beginning with Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? Write your questions on sticky notes.

  • 2. To find the answers, reread or read on. If you still don’t find the answer, look in a resource or ask someone for help.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student asked questions.

Look Into the Text

“Is This a Dream?”

That’s what Spanish explorers wondered as they entered an amazing city. In the sunlight, the place seemed to float on a shimmering lake. No wonder. The city stood on an island, with long, thin roads that linked it to the shore.

“Why did explorers think the city floated”?
It was built on an island.

Rising above the skyline was a stone pyramid—twenty stories high. Two temples perched on top of it, one bright red and the other deep blue. Dozens of buildings stood around the pyramid. Circling them were thousands of tidy houses and shops.

“To answer, I just read on. The answer was right there.”

What did this amazing place look like?
It had pyramids, temples, houses, and shops.

“To answer, I had to reread the text.”

Practice Together

Reread the passage, and ask yourself two questions. Follow the steps in the How-To box. Put your sticky notes by the text you have a question about.