Questioning the TextFinding Your Inner Voice

What is inner conversation?• In order to comprehend,

readers pay attention and think about the words and ideas as they read. They carry on an inner conversation with the text.

• It’s a quiet inner voice, not a speaking out loud voice in the head of a reader that speaks to them as they read.

• Inner conversation reflects the thinking that is central to comprehension

Characteristics of a good reader

• Metacognition enables readers to monitor their progress, select and switch strategies for learning and remembering, and measure their efforts.

• Visualize, predict and connect ideas in the text to our background knowledge, and stop and notice when their questions are answered

• Comprehension strategies are more controlled when reading complex text

• Ask a variety of questions before, during and after reading

What types of questions do good readers ask?

On the surface• Questions we ask to understand

what we are reading.• Answers are found in the text

Under the surface• Questions we ask to help

deepen our understanding of what we read

• Answers are found by making inferences and text connections

How do I teach students to question the text?

Teacher • Model on the surface and

under the surface questions using split page note taking

• Use arrows to signal where you stop to answer questions

• Under the surface questions require background information that is used to make inferences

Student• Readers have different

questions • Readers questions are

based on background information

• Students who do not have sufficient background information will not be able to create a variety of questions

What are the benefits of teaching students to question the text?

• Keeps the students engaged with the text

• Improves metacognition in struggling readers

• Helps readers understand what they read

• Creates an awareness of comprehension

References

• The Comprehension Toolkit: Language and Lessons for Active Literacy.