Asking and Answering Questions — Grade 2

Two complete small-group lessons that teach Grade 2 English learners to ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions — and to prove each answer with words from the text.

Watch It first. Show your class the free video lesson with Sofia & Canela. Sofia asks and answers who, what, where, when, and why questions about a different story, “The Night Song,” and proves her answers with words from the text. The video link is on the Start Here page.

Read. Find. Answer. Retell. Students read one fiction story and one informational text in short parts. After each part, they ask a question, look back in the text, underline the helpful words, and answer in a complete sentence. Each lesson ends with a retell.

The texts

• “The Lost Library Card” (fiction): Maya can’t find her library card on library day.
• “Why Birds Build Nests” (informational): how and why birds build nests for their eggs and babies.

Learning Target: I can ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about a text.

Language Objective: I can say, then write, a complete-sentence answer using helpful words from the text.

What’s included:

• Free video lesson: Sofia & Canela model the skill (link on the Start Here page)
• Google Slides: 49 teacher-controlled slides (make-a-copy link on the Start Here page) — each “Next” click reveals the answer after the question
• Teaching Slides PDF (the same 49 slides)
• Student Packet (18 pages): two lesson plans, picture vocabulary, word-reading practice, both texts, guided and independent practice, “How did I do?” self-checks, retell and explain frames, answer key, and a data collection sheet
• Each lesson takes about 15–20 minutes.

Great for ESL/ELD small groups, reading intervention, and multilingual learners. Supports pointing, partner-assisted, and AAC responses.

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