CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1
The Standard
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Informational Text
What This Standard Means
Students need to ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about an informational text. They should use details from the text, not guesses or prior knowledge, to show they understand the main people, events, facts, reasons, and steps.
Mastery looks like a student pointing to a sentence, picture, caption, or heading to support an answer. Students often get stuck by giving one-word answers, mixing up why and how questions, or answering from memory instead of the page.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs a short animal article and sticky notes labeled who, what, where, when, why, and how to place beside matching details.
- After reading, ask students to write one why question and trade with a partner who must answer using a text detail.
- Read one paragraph aloud, then have students answer three question cards and underline the words that helped them answer.
- Use a simple school lunch menu or weather report and ask who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about the information.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.