CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.3
The Standard
Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards
What This Standard Means
Students need to listen to a speaker closely enough to understand the main idea and key details. They should ask questions that clear up confusion, get more information, or connect ideas. They also need to answer questions with enough detail so their response makes sense to others.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “Can you explain why that happened?” or “I heard you say the character was nervous because…” Common trouble spots are vague questions, one-word answers, repeating what was already said, or forgetting to build on the speaker’s actual words.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on: Give pairs picture cards, have one student describe a card while the partner asks two follow-up questions before guessing it.
- Prompt: After a classmate shares, write one question that asks for more detail and one answer that uses evidence from what they said.
- Quick assessment: During a short partner share, use a checklist for asks a clear question, answers fully, and adds a related detail.
- Real-world connection: Watch a short kid news clip, then have students act as reporters asking the speaker thoughtful follow-up questions.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.3
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c
Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topi...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1c
Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue...