Unit Plan 10 (PreK Library): Asking Questions About Stories
Help PreK children ask questions, notice pictures, wonder during read-alouds, and build early inquiry skills through stories and conversation.
Focus: Help PreK children understand that asking questions is part of library learning. Children practice wondering before, during, and after read-alouds by noticing pictures, asking simple questions, using “I wonder…” language, and exploring ideas through stories, pictures, and conversation.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Library (Questioning • Curiosity • Early Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This PreK library unit introduces children to the idea that stories can make readers curious. During read-alouds, the librarian models simple questioning before, during, and after reading with prompts such as “What do you notice?” “What do you wonder?” “Why do you think that happened?” and “What do you think will happen next?” Children are not expected to find formal answers or explain complex reasoning. The goal is to normalize wondering as an important part of listening, looking, thinking, and learning in the library.
The unit should feel playful, conversational, and highly visual. Children may point to a picture that makes them curious, sort “I noticed” and “I wonder” statements, choose picture cards, ask a question orally, or dictate a question to the librarian. The emphasis is on helping young learners see their questions as valuable and helping them begin using pictures, stories, and class conversation to explore simple ideas.
Essential Questions
- What questions can I ask about a story?
- How can pictures and stories make me wonder?
- How can talking together help us explore simple questions?
- How can I share an observation, wondering, or idea during library time?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Show curiosity by asking questions, wondering, and noticing details in books, pictures, and library activities.
- Use pictures, stories, and conversation to begin exploring answers to simple questions.
- Share observations and ideas about books, topics, and objects introduced in library lessons.
- Practice asking or dictating simple questions before, during, or after a read-aloud.
- Sort or identify “I notice…” and “I wonder…” responses with adult support.
- (Optional Sessions) Strengthen questioning habits through repeated read-aloud pauses, picture cards, class wonder charts, and guided conversation.
Standards Alignment — PreK (AASL-based Custom)
- L:S1.PKa — Show curiosity by asking questions, wondering, and noticing details in books, pictures, and library activities.
- Example: A child asks, “Why is the bear sleeping?” during a read-aloud.
- L:S1.PKb — Use pictures, stories, and conversation to begin exploring answers to simple questions.
- Example: A child looks through a nonfiction picture book to learn about insects after a class discussion.
- L:S1.PKc — Share observations and ideas about books, topics, and objects introduced in library lessons.
- Example: A child points out something they noticed in an illustration and explains it to the class.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can ask a question about a story.
- I can say or show what I wonder.
- I can notice details in pictures.
- I can share an idea about a book or picture.
- I can use pictures and talk to think about a question.
- I can be curious during library time.