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5th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 15 of 17

Talk, Listen and Ask Why

Open-ended questions and clear connecting words

What your child practices

Listening to summarize, joining a discussion respectfully, asking open-ended questions and using complex sentences with transition words to share ideas.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 5SL1; 5SL2; 5L6 · open-ended questions, retelling what you hear and words that connect ideas

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. A good listener looks at the speaker and waits for a turn.
  2. Open-ended questions can’t be answered with yes or no: “How do you think…?”
  3. Transition words link ideas: however (contrast), also (adding), so (result).

Example: Which transition word shows a contrast: however, also or next? A contrast shows a difference. “However” signals a change in direction. Answer: however

Talk, Listen and Ask Why in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 15 of 17 in 5th grade English Language Arts, after Read With a Purpose and before Read Closely.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence is complex?

    • We went inside.
    • We went inside because it started to snow.
    • It snowed.

  2. Question 2

    Which body language shows you are listening?

    • turning away
    • doodling loudly
    • nodding and facing the speaker

  3. Question 3

    Which is a sentence starter for asking about someone's reason?

    • I don't care.
    • Stop talking.
    • What makes you think that?

  4. Question 4

    Which question asks for reasoning?

    • Why did the beaver build a dam?
    • Is the beaver a mammal?
    • Does the beaver have a tail?

  5. Question 5

    Which transition word adds an idea?

    • also
    • instead
    • but

  6. Question 6

    Which description gives the clearest picture?

    • a thing
    • a rusty red bike with a bent front wheel
    • a bike

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