The document discusses text-dependent questions and how to create and evaluate them. It defines text-dependent questions as questions that require readers to closely analyze key details, words, phrases, and the overall structure and meaning of the text. The document provides examples of good text-dependent questions that align with specific Common Core standards and evaluate key elements like word choice, evidence, and shifts in the text. It also models how to sort questions, match them to standards, and identify features that make for a strong text-dependent question.
8. Text-dependent Questions
Demonstration
• What does the word “surfaced”
mean in this text? Why do you think
the authors chose this word? (page 3
of Courage section.)
• The text begins with: There once
was a curious bird who wondered,
What can a small bird be? Why do
you think the authors chose to begin
the text with this question?
9. Text-dependent Questions
Demonstration
• What is the meaning of
“courage” and how does
Tortoise demonstrate
“courage” in this text?
• What evidence is there that
shows Bird is wondering, “What
can a small bird be?” and
working on a solution?
10. Evidenced-Based Answers
Text-based evidence facilitates rich and
rigorous evidence-based discussions and
writing through specific, thought-provoking
questions about common texts (including,
when applicable, illustrations, charts,
diagrams, audio/visual, and media).
14. Question Standard(s) Addressed
L.6.4
What does the word surfaced mean in Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-
this text? Why do you think the authors meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and
content, choose flexibly from a range of strategies.
chose this word? a. Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
RL.6.5
The text begins with: There once was a Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza
curious bird who wondered, What can a fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the
development of the theme, setting, or plot.
small bird be? Why do you think the
authors chose to begin the text with this
question?
RL.6.4
What is the meaning of courage? How Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are
does Tortoise demonstrate courage in used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings;
analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and
this text? tone.
RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is
conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of
the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
15. Question Standard(s) Addressed
RL.6.3
What evidence is there that shows Bird Describe how a particular story’s or dramas plot unfolds in a
is wondering, “What can a small bird series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or
change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
be?” and working on a solution?
RL.6.1
What evidence shows that the crows are Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
bullying the Tortoise? What is Bird’s says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
response?
RL.6.5
What words or phrases does the author Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza
choose to persuade you that the crows fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the
development of the theme, setting, or plot.
are bullies?
RL.6.6
Why does Bird wink at the Tortoise? Explain how an author develops the point of view of the
narrator or speaker in a text.
16. Yellow cards:
Add to your alignment (matched red
and blue cards) the FEATURES of
good text-dependent questions
(yellow cards).
17. Text-dependent Questions ask Example
students to:
Analyze paragraphs on a sentence by What is the meaning of courage? How
sentence basis and sentences on a word does Tortoise demonstrate courage in
by word basis to determine the role this text?
played by individual paragraphs,
sentences, phrases, or words
Investigate how meaning can be altered What does the word surfaced mean in
by changing key words and why an this text? Tortoise flailed his legs and
author may have chosen one word over surfaced with a mouth full of water. Why
another do you think the authors chose this
word?
Probe each argument in persuasive text, What words or phrases does the author
each idea in informational text, each key choose to persuade you that the crows
detail in literary text, and observe how are bullies?
these build into a whole
18. Text-dependent Questions ask Example
students to:
Examine how shifts in the direction of an What evidence shows that the crows are
argument or explanation are achieved and bullying the Tortoise? What is Bird’s
the impact of those shifts response?
Question why authors choose to begin and The text begins with: There once was a
end when they do curious bird who wondered, What can a small
bird be? Why do you think the authors chose
to begin the text with this question?
Note and assess patterns of writing and what What evidence is there that shows Bird is
they achieve wondering, “What can a small bird be?” and
working on a solution?
Consider what the text leaves uncertain or Why does Bird wink at the Tortoise?
unstated
1) Defining text-based questions 2) Demonstration of text-based questions using model text 3) Matching and Sorting Activity: Examples and non-examples Connection to standards Features of high quality questions 4) Time to practice
Handout: Participants will have a paper copy. This text is an excerpt from a blog posted by achievethecore and given to us by Kelly G.
Read section: Deep reading through text-based questions, or “Another area where I went astray” Read paragraphs 1 & 2. With a partner, determine how Hank defines text-dependent questions.
Read paragraphs 3 (and bulleted list) and discuss the features of a text-dependent question.
Read section: Deep reading through text-based questions, or “Another area where I went astray” Read paragraph 4.
Read section: Reflection is the heart of our practice. Read paragraphs 5 & 6.
Ask participants to reread the first section, “Courage”.
What did you and your partner do in order to answer these questions. Think about why these are examples of text-dependent questions. Meaning of surfaced from context: He came up to the surface of the water after being in a whirlpool. The word surfaced gives the reader a visual image of the tortoise – it gives a location in the water. The question serves to frame the text. The section answers the question in regards to courage.
Focus your discussion on why these are good text-dependent questions. Meaning of courage from context: Bird greeted Tortoise as he came ashore, “You were so brave !” Turtle demonstrates courage by deciding not to let the bullies stop him “I won’t,” said Tortoise. “Not this time.” Without hesitation he climbed into the hat and pushed off. He cut across the currents until he felt sand between his claws. “I sure showed those crows, didn’t I?” The literal answer is that the text says he wondered, “What can a small bird be?” Then, he helped Tortoise to be brave and courageous, and the wink at the end of this section acknowledges that he understands how he can help others demonstrate courage.
You just had a rich discussion with your partner using evidence from the text. This is what we want our students to do. This is the year of evidence!
Examples of text-dependent questions and non-examples.
If you can answer the question without having read the text, it is not a text-dependent question. Perhaps we begin by asking them to sort questions by example and non-example, based upon what they have learned so far? These slides may not be necessary – we may only need an answer slide.
Matching questions to standards = Answer slide
Matching questions to standards = Answer slide
Answers to matching questions to features
Answers to the matching activity questions to features
You can use the yellow cards as a guide or the participant notes. Refer to participant notes for how to create text dependent questions. Participants will write their questions in the participant notes. This is the third piece of the puzzle. You have selected your text, chosen vocabulary, and now you are writing questions. Remember, you can write text dependent questions about your vocabulary terms. As in any good reverse engineering or “backward design” process, teachers should start by identifying the key insights they want students to understand from the text – keeping one eye on the major points being made is crucial for fashioning an overarching set of successful questions and critical for creating an appropriate culminating assignment. For BIRD: What evidence is there that shows Bird is wondering, “What can a small bird be?” and working on a solution?