The lesson began with an introduction to the concept of asking questions. Using a picture from "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" by Chris VanAllsburg, students were prompted to share questions that came up while looking at the image. This initial activity laid the foundation for questioning skills during the reading of "I Want My Hat Back." 

While reading the book, students were encouraged to pause and jot down questions on sticky notes. This activity was an important aspect of the lesson because of the virtual visit from Jon Klassen. Graland students, along with other schools around the nation, had the opportunity to ask Klassen a question, but only the best submitted questions would be selected by the author. After careful thinking, the created questions were then categorized into two groups by the class – those about the text that students believed would be answered by Klassen in a virtual meet, and questions beyond the text that might not get answered, but instead spark curiosity and wonder. This activity honed the students' ability to ask questions but also promoted critical thinking and prediction skills! 

Carefully reading the text and analyzing the story to create questions for Klassen provided the opportunity to grow a personal connection with the creator of the book they explored. In the end, their thoughtful question writing paid off and excitement filled the Grade 2 classroom during the virtual meet when one of the students' questions was selected and answered by Klassen himself. Out of hundreds of submissions, one of our very own students was selected and his classmates, who collaborated on creating the chosen question, were so happy to share this special moment with him. 

Looking ahead, Mrs. Mimnall hopes that this experience will have a lasting impact on the students' understanding of Jon Klassen's work and their overall reading comprehension. By creating a personal connection with the author, students are more likely to engage with and explore additional works by Klassen. Encouraging students to ask questions while reading is key in understanding comprehension, encouraging students to dive deeper into the text and become more engaged, thoughtful readers.