Wh- questions
Last updated
Wh- questions are questions that start with who, what, where, when, why or how and ask for information, not a yes or no.
Topic: Speech and language
In plain terms
Children usually understand what, who and where questions before when, why and how, which require more abstract thinking. Answering wh- questions supports reading comprehension, following lessons and conversation. Asking them is important too: it is how students get information and keep conversations going.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals target answering or asking specific question types about pictures, stories or events, such as "will answer why questions about a short story with a reason in 4 of 5 trials."
Example
After a read-aloud, a kindergartner answers who and where questions correctly 9 of 10 times, while why questions are 3 of 10, so the next goal targets why questions with picture supports.
Related terms
- Receptive languageReceptive language is the ability to understand language: words, sentences, directions, questions and stories.
- InferenceAn inference is a conclusion a reader or listener draws by combining clues in the text with their own knowledge.
- Reading comprehensionReading comprehension is understanding and making meaning from text, by combining word reading, language knowledge and thinking skills.
- Expressive languageExpressive language is the ability to put thoughts into words and sentences to communicate, through speech, sign, writing or AAC.
On IEP Atlas
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