ELA: Key Questions for Reading Comprehension and News Writing (5 Ws and an H) Practice
Identify who, what, when, where, why, and how in texts and news reports
ELA: Key Questions for Reading Comprehension and News Writing (5 Ws and an H) Practice
Identify who, what, when, where, why, and how in texts and news reports
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
Read the sentence: The fourth-grade garden club planted tomatoes behind the school on Friday afternoon to help provide fresh food for the cafeteria. Identify the who, what, when, where, and why.
Look for the people, action, time, place, and reason.
Who: the fourth-grade garden club. What: planted tomatoes. When: Friday afternoon. Where: behind the school. Why: to help provide fresh food for the cafeteria. - 2
Read the short news lead: On Tuesday morning, firefighter Maria Lopez rescued a kitten from a storm drain near Maple Park after neighbors heard it crying. What is the main action in this lead?
The main action is that firefighter Maria Lopez rescued a kitten from a storm drain. - 3
A reporter wrote: Students at Lincoln Elementary collected 520 cans of food during November for the local food pantry. Which detail answers the question how many?
The detail that answers how many is 520 cans of food. - 4
Read the passage: The school orchestra performed in the gym on Thursday night. Families filled the bleachers to hear songs from movies and musicals. The concert raised money for new music stands. Write one question that asks why the concert was held.
A why question asks for a reason or purpose.
A good why question is: Why did the school orchestra hold the concert? The answer is that the concert raised money for new music stands. - 5
Read the sentence: After a week of rain, the river rose over its banks and covered the bike path with muddy water. Which 5 Ws or H question is answered by the phrase after a week of rain?
The phrase after a week of rain answers the question why the river rose over its banks, because the rain caused the river to rise. - 6
Read the note for a news story: The library started a reading challenge. It began on January 8. It is for students in grades 3 through 5. Students earn a bookmark for every five books they read. Write a complete news lead that includes at least who, what, when, and how.
Start with the most important information, then add the other details.
A strong lead could be: Students in grades 3 through 5 began a library reading challenge on January 8, earning a bookmark for every five books they read. - 7
Read the sentence: Coach Kim canceled soccer practice at City Field because lightning was spotted nearby. What detail answers where?
The detail that answers where is City Field. - 8
Read the passage: A group of fifth graders built birdhouses during science class. They used scrap wood, nails, and paint. The birdhouses will be placed around the school courtyard next week to give birds safe nesting spots. Identify the how in this passage.
How often tells the method, steps, or tools used.
The how is that the students built the birdhouses by using scrap wood, nails, and paint. - 9
A news article headline says: Local Team Wins Championship in Final Seconds. Write two questions a reporter should answer in the article using the 5 Ws and an H.
Two good questions are: Who won the championship? How did the team win in the final seconds? Other correct questions may ask what happened, when it happened, where it happened, or why it was important. - 10
Read the paragraph: At 7:30 a.m., volunteers opened the community center doors for the winter coat drive. By noon, more than 200 coats had been donated. The coats will be given to families who need warm clothing. What detail answers when?
The detail that answers when is 7:30 a.m. Another time detail is by noon, which tells when more than 200 coats had been donated. - 11
Read the sentence: The mayor thanked the cleanup crew for removing trash from the beach so sea turtles would have a safer place to nest. Which detail answers why the crew removed trash?
Look for the words that explain the reason for the action.
The crew removed trash so sea turtles would have a safer place to nest. - 12
Plan a short news report about a school science fair. Fill in all six key questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Use your own details.
Example: who participated, what projects were shown, when the fair happened, where it took place, why students held it, and how winners were chosen.
Answers will vary, but a complete response should include who took part, what happened, when it happened, where it happened, why it happened, and how it was organized or completed.