Georgia 4.T.RA.1.a
The Standard
Generate questions about a self-selected topic of interest to be researched, asking open-ended questions to deepen and extend understanding of the topic and related ideas and information. (I)
Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards · Texts (T) · Research & Analysis
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose a topic they care about and develop questions that can guide research. They use open-ended and follow-up questions to explore causes, details, connections, and related ideas.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student writes focused questions that invite explanation, comparison, or analysis. The student adds follow-up questions as new facts and related ideas appear.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may write a topic or statement instead of a question. They may ask yes-or-no questions, choose questions with obvious answers, or make questions too broad to guide research.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, have students name an interest, write one open-ended research question, and add a follow-up question that explores a related idea.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs question cards to sort into open-ended and closed groups, then have them revise three closed questions using sticky notes.
Ask students to write about a personal interest, then explain which question would help them learn something new and why.
Play Question Ladder: students begin with one topic and earn points by adding three connected questions that become more specific.
Examine questions used by reporters before an interview, then have students prepare five open-ended questions for a local expert.
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Printable 4.T.RA.1.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 4.T.RA.1.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 3.T.RA.1.a
Generate questions about a self-selected topic of interest to be researched, formulating additional questions to clarify or deepen understanding. (I)
- 2.T.RA.1.a
Generate questions about self-selected topics of interest for research. (I)
- 8.T.RA.1.a
Generate questions to guide research and make connections between related topics of interest, formulating questions to investigate complex topics and ideas. (I)
- 5.T.RA.1.a
Generate questions about a self-selected topic of interest to be researched, asking probing questions to compare and contrast related topics. (I)
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