Questions and Thinking

What do young children do when they don't know something ... they ask A LOT of questions!
The one you probably remember saying to Mom and Dad the most is, "WHY?"

Asking questions about things we don't know is another way we learn new information. The kinds of questions you ask can take you to a new level of understanding ~ the higher the level of question, the higher the level of thinking and understanding you achieve. There is also an "academic vocabulary" * you should become familiar with.

Level 1 ~ These questions are lower level questions that are answered with a yes / no, or specific information found in written material. You can see, point to, or hear the answer. Matching, multiple choice, true/false questions are examples of "Level 1". Level 1 questions start with "academic vocabulary" words such as:

	Define Describe Identify List Name Label Match Recite
The following Level 1 "academic vocabulary" words help you show understanding:
	Restate Discuss Express Rewrite Explain Report Review Tell Find Locate Extend Recognize Summarize Generalize Paraphrase (retell in own words)

Level 2 ~ These questions require you to think a little harder and manipulate information to answer them correctly. These are usually the short answer / essay type of questions. Level 2 questions start with "academic vocabulary" words such as:

                 Analyze          Infer
                 Compare       Contrast
                 Group             Interpret
                 Construct      Arrange
                 Write               Organize

Level 3 ~ These questions require you to really think, and reflect, and write ~ essay questions. You will need to answer these type of questions with you personal opinion and support it with facts. Sometimes there is not a "right" answer to these type of questions. Level 3 questions start with "academic vocabulary" words such as:

	Evaluate Summarize Imagine Judge Predict Decide Estimate Rate Hypothesize
* Other Academic vocabulary words you might want to become familiar with can be seen here.

Visit these links to help you be the most successful student you can be.
Organization ♦ SLANT ♦ Time Management ♦ Goals

Note Taking & Test Prep ♦ Questioning and Thinking