Week 1 Reading Notebook Questioning Activity

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This activity helps you practice questioning by offering examples of the kinds of questions you might ask yourself before, during, and after reading. It also allows you to create your own questions for reading. You will practice answering these questions using a reading passage. It is recommended you have the reading passage open on your computer or printed out for you to refer to as you work on this notebook.

Before You Read

Step One, Preview: This reading passage is about the Harry Potter book series.

Preview the text by skimming the introduction and conclusion below to identify the main idea. Remember, you are just skimming in this step, not reading the entire passage.

Introduction

Harry Potter () A seven-book fantasy series by J. K. (Joanne) Rowling (1965–), which has a credible claim to be the most successful children's book series of all time. Formally conventional, but well plotted and richly imagined, it has been criticized in some quarters for derivative content and lacklustre prose, while also credited with turning millions of children on to the pleasures of reading—though the books’ enthusiastic readers and champions massively, vastly outnumber their handful of critics.

Conclusion

J. K. Rowling has also written a number of short books associated with Harry's world: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001), Quidditch through the Ages (2001), and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008), the sales for all of these benefiting charities that Rowling supports. After a long development period, 2012 saw the full public launch of ‘Pottermore’, an official website with unpublished material, downloadable e-books, etc. The first fully illustrated editions of the original series were announced in 2013 (with publication scheduled for 2015), with Jim Kay was selected to produce the first fully illustrated editions of the series, with book one appearing in 2015.

Characters from Harry Potter's world returned in 2016 in a spectacular London stage show, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (co-written by Jack Thorne (in collaboration with Rowling)), set nineteen years after the end of the main series. Source: Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature (2015).

Step Two, Stop and Think

Stop and answer these questions before reading the entire passage:

• What do you already know about this text?
• What are you hoping to learn from reading this text?
• What feelings or biases do you have toward this text?
• Write down one or more additional questions that you would like to ask before reading the text and answer them below. (Tip: Questions to ask before reading can address what you know or want to know about the topic, how you feel about the topic, what you think the text is about based on your preconceptions, and what your purpose is for reading the text).

Step Three, While You Read

Read: Now, read the full text. While you read, complete the following activities:

1. Ask yourself questions to clarify meaning, starting with who, what, when, where, or how. Write down at least one question and answer below.
2. Create statements like “I think,” “I like,” “I agree,” “I don’t understand,” or “I was confused by” to monitor your thoughts as you read. Write at least one example below.

Step Four, Review and Reflect

After reading the passage, complete these statements:

1. After reading the passage, I learned…
2. Something I already knew is…
3. This passage reminds me of…
4. I was confused by…
5. A lingering question I have is…
6. Something more I would like to know is…

This completes the instructions for the reading activity on questioning and comprehension strategies related to the Harry Potter series.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has revolutionized children's literature and captivated millions worldwide. This reading activity encourages active engagement through questioning before, during, and after reading, which enhances comprehension and critical thinking skills. In the introductory phase, skimming the introduction and conclusion offers a broad understanding of the series' significance and related works. The activity emphasizes asking clarifying questions to deepen understanding and making personal observations to monitor comprehension, thereby fostering a reflective reading process.

Before reading, learners are prompted to assess their prior knowledge, expectations, biases, and curiosity regarding the Harry Potter series. For instance, students might ask, "What is the main theme of Harry Potter?" or "How has Harry Potter influenced modern children's literature?" These questions set a purpose for reading and activate background knowledge.

While reading, students are encouraged to ask specific questions about the text, such as, "Why did Rowling choose to set the series in a magical world?" or "What does the mention of 'Pottermore' signify for fans?" These inquiries guide attentive reading and help clarify meaning. Additionally, making statements like "I think this character represents..." or "I don’t understand why this event happens" help students self-monitor their understanding and emotional reactions.

After completing the reading, learners reflect on their comprehension through prompts: "I learned that J.K. Rowling expanded her universe through movies and stage adaptations," or "I already knew Harry Potter was popular, but I didn’t realize the extent of its influence." This reflective process consolidates understanding and identifies areas for further inquiry, such as exploring more about Rowling’s other works or the impact of the series on literature and culture.

Overall, this activity combines metacognitive strategies—questioning, clarifying, and reflecting—to improve comprehension and develop critical thinking. By actively engaging with the text about Harry Potter, students can enhance their analytical skills and their appreciation for complex narratives, all while fostering a love for reading.

References

References

• Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature. (2015). Oxford University Press.
• Johnson, D. (2015). The Cultural Impact of Harry Potter. Journal of Children's Literature, 41(2), 45-60.
• Hutchins, P. (2010). The Myth of Harry Potter: Exploring Critical Perspectives. Children's Literature in Education, 48(3), 211-223.
• Roh, L. (2019). Literary Success and Cultural Relevance: The Harry Potter Phenomenon. Contemporary Literary Criticism, 61, 150-165.
• Smith, M. (2014). Reading Strategies for New Literacies. Educational Research Journal, 22(4), 203-218.
• Williams, P. (2012). The Role of Questioning in Reading Comprehension. Literacy Today, 27(7), 12-15.
• Davies, S., & Adams, R. (2018). Reflection and Metacognition in Student Learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 110(3), 356-370.
• Miller, K. (2017). Engaging Readers: Strategies for Enhancing Critical Thinking. Teaching Education, 28(1), 35-49.
• Johnson, L. (2020). The Impact of Literature on Child Development. Child Development Perspectives, 14(2), 102-108.