📖

Thick and Thin Questions

Asking and Answering Questions

Day 46of 180
Week 10of 36
30Minutes
← Day 45Day 46 of 180Day 47
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Distinguish between thin and thick questions

2

Understand how questions help deeper comprehension

3

Practice creating different types of questions

Proverbs 2:3-4

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;

Proverbs 2:3-4 (WEB)

Demonstrates the importance of asking good questions to gain wisdom

📦 Materials Needed

  • Question stems chart
  • Sticky notes
  • Colored markers
  • A children's storybook

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle. Explain that today we'll learn about two special kinds of questions: thin questions and thick questions.

💭 Review Question: What makes a good question?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain that thin questions have answers right in the text, like 'What color was the cat?' Thick questions make you think deeper, like 'Why do you think the character felt sad?'

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Thin questions have simple, direct answers
  • Thick questions require thinking and imagination
  • Both types of questions help us understand better
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you give an example of a thin question?
  • How might a thick question help you learn more?
  • Why do you think asking questions is important?
3Activity: Question Sort (10 min)
hands-on

Students will read a short story and create thin and thick questions on sticky notes.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Read a short story together
  2. Write thin questions on yellow sticky notes
  3. Write thick questions on blue sticky notes
  4. Share and discuss questions as a class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher helps generate questions

Challenge: Students create questions independently for a more complex text

4Closing (5 min)

Review the difference between thin and thick questions

📝 Review Questions:
  • What makes a thin question?
  • What makes a thick question?
  • Why are both types of questions helpful?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be curious learners who ask good questions and seek understanding.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll practice making questions while we read!

Proverbs 2:3

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding;

Proverbs 2:3 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Hand motions: Cry out (cupped hands around mouth), lift voice (raising hands)

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Children are learning to engage more deeply with texts by understanding different question types

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage questioning during family reading time
  • Model asking both thin and thick questions
  • Praise curiosity and thoughtful inquiry
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it challenging to create thick questions

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to differentiate between surface-level and deeper questions

Extension Activities

  • Create a question poster for the classroom
  • Play a 'Guess the Question Type' game at home
  • Practice asking questions during family devotion time

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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