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
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students ask and answer questions about a story using who, what, where, when, why, and how. They use key details from the text or illustrations to show their understanding.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students ask relevant who, what, where, when, why, and how questions before, during, and after reading. Their answers are accurate and supported by specific characters, events, settings, or actions from the story.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may answer from personal experience instead of using story details. They may also confuse where with when, or give a one-word answer that does not explain why or how.
How to Assess It
- Read a short story aloud, then ask students to write one who question and one why question. Have them answer both using details from the story.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs six question-word cards, read a picture book, and have them place each card beside a page that answers that question.
Ask students to write: Why did the character make that choice, and which story detail supports your answer?
Play Question Toss by passing a beanbag, naming a question word, and asking or answering a matching question about the story.
Use a school event flyer and a short story to compare how readers find who, what, where, when, why, and how details.
Free download
Printable RL.2.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Reading: Literature progression map.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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