CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1c
The Standard
Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students listen closely during group conversations and notice when an idea needs more detail. They ask focused questions, give clear answers, and connect their comments to earlier points.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student listens, identifies a detail worth exploring, and asks a focused question. The student gives relevant answers and builds on a classmate’s idea with evidence, an example, or a related point.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may ask broad questions that do not address the speaker’s point. They may repeat an idea, change the subject, or say “I agree” without adding evidence or detail.
How to Assess It
- After a short partner discussion, ask each student to write one focused question and one comment that connects to the partner’s idea. Check both for clear references to what the partner said.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups a photo, question-stem cards, and yarn to connect each new question or comment to an earlier idea.
Discuss this prompt: Which school rule should change, and how does your point connect to something a classmate said?
Play Discussion Chain, where each student must ask a focused question or add a connected idea before passing a token.
Hold a class meeting to plan a reading celebration, requiring each student to refer to and extend one previous suggestion.
Free download
Printable SL.4.1c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1c, 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
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Keep exploring
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.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.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.