CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.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 Literature
What This Standard Means
Students need to ask and answer basic story questions using details from the text. They should identify characters, setting, events, timing, reasons, and how something happened. They also need to point back to the page, picture, or sentence that supports their answer.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “I know because it says…” and giving a matching detail. Common trouble spots are giving guesses from the picture only, answering with one word, mixing up why and how, or retelling the whole story instead of answering the question asked.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on: Give pairs question-word cards and sticky notes, then have them mark who, where, and why details in a short picture book.
- Prompt: After reading, ask students to write one who question and one why question, then trade with a partner to answer.
- Quick assessment: Read one page aloud and ask each student to answer one question using the sentence frame, “I know because…”.
- Real-world connection: Use a school announcement or lunch menu and ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about it.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.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.RI.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.