0. Levels of Questioning Lesson Plan VA SOL 6.

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Anticipatory Set:
Use a Pixar short (Geri’s Game:​ ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQG3sORAJQ​) to introduce the different levels of
questioning. Hand out post-it notes to students. Have the students write one question they thought of while watching
Geri’s Game on each post-it note. Have students read their questions and place them in one of three columns on the
whiteboard (keep the level titles secret). After the questions are grouped, ask students to reflect on what the questions
in each column have in common.

Example whiteboard:

What game is he playing? Why did he spin the chess board? Why is he playing by himself?

Direct Instruction/Guided Practice:

Using Slides, create an anchor chart with the student’s questions about the Geri’s Game and the definition of each level
of questioning. ​Discuss reasons why it is important to ask questions and how the different levels can be useful.
1. On the line​ - answers can be found by referring directly to the text (literal, ​recall​)
a. Understanding and remembering
b. Mentally answering the questions, “Who?” “What?” “Where?” “When?”
2. Between the lines​ - answers require ​inferencing​ and drawing conclusions based on details from the text.
a. Analyzing, interpreting, classifying, comparing, contrasting, and finding patterns.
b. What does the passage represent, suggest, or personify? What does a metaphor mean?
3. Beyond the lines​ - answers require reflection on thematic ideas or additional research.
a. Evaluating and creating
b. Connects literature to own experiences as well as with universal meaning.
c. How does the text connect with my life/ the lives of others? What perceptions about life in general is
the author communicating to me and what do I think of these perceptions?
Create a Flip Book with students that has the definition of the different levels of questions, an example, and an image.
Use this flip book while writing questions in the next activity.
Levels of Questioning Flip Book
Independent/Group Practice:
Students will read an article and write two examples of each level of question. Students will complete this assignment
for homework. We will discuss their questions next class.
Ocean Article 1050L Black Hole Article 1050L ​[permalink]
Ocean Article 840L Black Hole Article 820L
Ocean Article 580L Black Hole Article 560L
LL_Y1_ Levels of Questions Practice

I chose to replace the Ocean Article with the Black Hole Article not only because it features a more contemporary event
in the scientific field, but also because it showcases the accomplishment of a young woman in an older-male dominated
field, representation which has the potential to inspire the girls in the class.
Student Reflection:
Levels of Questions Exit Ticket

Extension Activities:
Use ​Levels of Questioning with Vermeer Artwork​ ​ to practice different levels of questioning (slides 5-6).
Use Ivan Kramskoy’s “Portrait of an Unknown Woman” to practice different levels of questioning.

I chose to incorporate Russian art because my student population has an unusually high percentage of native Russian
families. In addition, this painting better lends itself to practice of the three levels of questions:

Where is the woman? What season is it? Why is she glaring at the viewer?