Currently in reading your child has been learning how to ask questions about the story before, during and after reading. When reading with your child at night, you can support this learning by having them ask questions during these times. Taking it one step further would be to have them write down one question they have before reading, two questions they have during reading, and one question for after reading. After the book has been read, and the questions have been asked, you can then discuss the answers and "code" them. The codes are listed below. This activity will support your child's current learning at school and help them to become more successful and independent at this task.
Codes:
T = Text - The answer is found in the text
BK = Background Knowledge - The child has to think about what he knows from his past experiences to be able to answer the question. For example, in a book about an old man who wanted to read the children asked "Why does Jeremiah not know how to read?". This would be a BK because in the book it did not tell us why but we know that you learn how to read at school so we are guessing, based on our knowledge, that maybe he did not go to school. Another child mentioned that he is a farmer so maybe when he was younger he had to work on the farm and not go to school. This was knowledge that they brought to the text to answer this question!
R = Research - We need to find more information about this by doing some research on the internet or going to the library and looking at books. Most questions your child will ask will not be an R. An example of an R might be inquiring about a type of animal that was in the book. A child might want to know specifically what kind of cat the person has which would require research into finding out what the breed is.
