Questioning Skills to Improve Reading Comprehension in Middle Grades

Why Questioning is Essential for Middle Grades Reading Comprehension

In the middle grades, students are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. This shift requires a deeper engagement with texts, where understanding goes beyond simply decoding words. One of the most effective ways to enhance reading comprehension is through the development of active reading such as strong questioning skills. By asking questions before, during, and after reading, students can better understand the material, make connections, and engage in critical thinking. These questioning skills not only improve comprehension but also foster a more inquisitive mindset, which is essential for lifelong learning.

Effective Questioning Strategies for Middle Grade Students

1. Pre-Reading Questions

Strategy: Before students begin reading a text, whether it’s a textbook, an online article, or a fiction book, encourage them to ask questions about the topic, title, and any headings or subheadings they see.

How to Implement: Teachers, parents, or librarians can guide students to think about what they already know about the topic and what they want to learn. For example, before reading a chapter on ecosystems, a student might ask, “What different ecosystems exist?” or “How do animals adapt to their environments?”

Why It Works: Pre-reading questions set a purpose for reading and activate prior knowledge, making it easier for students to connect new information with what they already know.

2. During-Reading Questions

Strategy: As students read, they should be encouraged to pause periodically and ask themselves questions about the content they’re encountering. These could be clarifying questions, predictions, or inferences.

How to Implement: Encourage students to jot down questions as they read or to use sticky notes in the margins of their textbooks or fiction books. Questions like “Why did the character make that choice?” or “What do I think will happen next?” can keep students engaged and thinking critically about the material.

Why It Works: Asking questions during reading helps students stay focused, promotes active reading, and aids in understanding complex concepts or narratives.

3. Post-Reading Questions

Strategy: After completing a text, students should reflect on what they have read by asking questions that help summarize, synthesize, and evaluate the information.

How to Implement: Teachers or parents can prompt students with questions like, “What was the main idea?” “How does this information connect to what I already know?” or “What questions do I still have about this topic?” Online tools and discussion forums can also be used for post-reading reflections.

Why It Works: Post-reading questions reinforce comprehension, encourage deeper analysis, and help students retain information for longer periods.

Reinforcing Questioning Skills at School and Home

Both educators and parents play a crucial role in reinforcing these questioning skills to improve reading comprehension in middle grades. At school, teachers can integrate questioning strategies into daily lessons, providing structured opportunities for students to practice asking and answering questions. This can be done through group discussions, reading journals, or digital platforms that allow for interactive questioning.

At home, parents can support questioning skills by engaging in discussions about what their child is reading. Asking open-ended questions during dinner conversations or while helping with homework can encourage students to think critically and articulate their thoughts. Librarians can also support this development by organizing book clubs or reading challenges that focus on questioning and discussion.