When your child enters high school, their English classes will include discussions of character development, plot lines, and other elements of literature. You don’t have to wait until they reach high school to talk about what they’re reading in this way – if you know what to ask. To get you started, here are six questions about what they’re reading that will prepare them for future Language Arts classes.
- What happened that caused everything else to happen?
- In Charlotte’s Web: When Fern learns that she can keep Wilbur, it is the moment that causes everything else in the story to happen. (This is the inciting incident.)
- How did the main characters change by the end of the novel?
- One example from Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur grows to understand and appreciate all that Charlotte has done for him. (This is character development.)
- What character trait can you identify for each main character?
- In Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore is always down in the dumps, Tigger is excited and active, and Piglet is shy. (These are character traits.)
- What physical trait can you identify for each main character?
- In Winnie the Pooh, Tigger has a tail like a spring, Eeyore has long ears, and Roo has a pouch. (These are physical traits.)
- How are sensory details used?
- One example from Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur’s manure pile is stinky. (This is a sensory detail.)
- What is the main thing the novel is about?
- In Winnie the Pooh: The main idea or message is about being a good friend. (This is the theme.)
The first few times you try talking about “story” in this way, it may feel awkward. The truth is that whether you talk about a work of children’s literature, young adult literature, or a family movie, the more you do it, the easier it will become. Plus, not only will your child be better prepared for future English classes, but they will also take more away from the novels and movies they enjoy right now.
See also:
Five Ways to Talk About Story