3.1.A
The Standard
listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and make pertinent comments
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students listen closely to a speaker and use what they hear in their response. They ask on-topic questions to clear up confusion and make comments that add useful information.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students face the speaker, track the main idea, and respond to what was said. They ask questions that clear up confusion and add comments that stay on topic.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may wait for their turn to talk instead of listening. They may ask off-topic questions, repeat answered questions, or make comments unrelated to the speaker’s message.
How to Assess It
- Read a short set of directions aloud. Ask each student to write one clarifying question and one comment that connects directly to what they heard.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Pair students for a barrier drawing task where one describes a simple picture and the other listens, asks questions, and draws it.
After a short read-aloud, ask, “What question would help you understand the speaker better, and what comment connects to the main idea?”
Play Question or Comment by reading response cards aloud while students sort them into relevant question, pertinent comment, or off-topic response.
Have students listen to a mock school announcement, then ask one useful question and make one related comment as if planning their day.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 5.1.A
listen actively to interpret verbal and non-verbal messages, ask relevant questions, and make pertinent comments;
- 1.1.A
listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and answer questions using multi-word responses;
- 2.1.A
listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and answer questions using multi-word responses;
- 4.1.A
The 4th Grade version of this standard.
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