Questioning Strategy - Say Something

Good readers think about what they are reading as they read. They even do it without knowing they are doing it. But struggling readers need some help to get started thinking about what they read. This strategy helps readers formulate questions and comments that give reading purpose and improve comprehension (understanding).

1. Read part or all of the story. Some students need to stop along the way and think about the Say Something questions while others can read the whole story first. Think about how much help your reader(s) might need, or ask the teacher. Read out loud, have your reader read out loud, or share the oral reading.

2. Look at the Say Something list and pick one or more of actions listed below to respond to.

3. Take turns responding to only one of the prompts. As an example, I might respond to the classic nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet by asking the question "what is a tuffet?" or by making a connection to my visit at the Tillamook dairy where I sampled curds (little cheese bits). Sometimes it is hard to know how to start. If this is the case for you and your reader(s) then you can use these starter sentences to help get you started. These will get you going and soon you will not need them!



4. Respond to each other's comment,but don't spend too much time talking about what was said because the goal is to "think out loud" and not to have an extended discussion. If either of you have questions, they may be answered as you continue to read.

 5. If you or your reader(s) can't find a way to Say Something that is a clue that you need to go back and read it again. Don't forget to look at the pictures because they help to tell the story. The pictures often tell more story then the words do so have fun looking!


You can find the Say Something guidelines and response prompts here.