Question Design Plan Question Design Plan
Teacher's Facilitation Guide • Grade 6 Journalism
Duration
45 Minutes
Objective
Formulate open-ended questions for detailed responses.
Key Skill
Closed vs. Open Conversions
Instructional Arc & Pacing
1
The Hook: The "Dead-End" Interview (5 mins)
Show Slide 2. Role-play a very bad, 30-second interview using only "Closed" questions. Ask students: "If you were writing a story about this person, what would you have to say?" (Answer: Not much!)
2
Open vs. Closed Definitions (10 mins)
Define the two types using Slides 3-5. Closed questions are "Fact Checks" (Yes/No). Open questions are "Story Starters".
3
The Flip & Drafting (15 mins)
Students use the Reporter Notebook Worksheet . First, they "flip" closed questions to open. Then, they draft 4 questions for their specific "Beat" (Topic).
4
Live Press Conference: Role Play (15 mins)
Pairs take turns being the Interviewer and the Source.
Interviewer: Use drafted questions + 1 spontaneous follow-up.
Source: Give detailed, honest answers.
Switch roles after 5 minutes. Use last 5 mins for peer feedback.
Key Discussion Prompts
"Why start an interview with closed questions?"
To build rapport, confirm facts, or ease the person in.
"What if they give a one-word answer to an open question?"
Use a nudge: "Can you tell me more about that?"
Interview Ace Slides The Art of the Ask
Mastering the Open-Ended Question
Grade 6 Journalism
Dead End vs. Open Road
The Dead End
"Do you like your job?"
Answer: "Yes." (End of story.)
The Open Road
"What is the most exciting part of your day?"
Answer: A detailed story!
The Definitions
C
Closed Questions
Can be answered with a "Yes," "No," or a single specific fact. They stop the conversation.
O
Open Questions
Require explanation, feeling, or description. They invite the person to tell a story.
The "Magic Starters"
Use these to unlock detailed answers every time:
How...
Explains process or emotion
Why...
Uncovers motivation
Tell me about...
Invites a narrative
Describe...
Paint a mental picture
The Flip Challenge
Turn this closed question into an open one:
"Was the basketball game fun?"
Think: How? Why? Describe? Tell me about?
Time to Draft
1
Pick your "Beat" (Topic)
2
Draft 5 high-impact Open Questions
3
Prepare for the Live Role Play
"A good question is like a key that unlocks a room full of secrets."
Reporter Notebook Worksheet Reporter's Notebook
Assignment: The Art of the Ask
Name:
Date:
1. The Question Filter
Identify if the question is Closed (C) or Open (O) .
?
"What time did the school dance end?"
?
"How did you feel when you won the game?"
?
"Can you describe the best part of your summer trip?"
?
"Do you like eating lunch in the cafeteria?"
2. Flip the Switch
Rewrite these closed questions to make them Open-Ended .
Closed: "Was the book good?"
Closed: "Is your science project finished?"
3. Draft Your Beat Questions
My Interview Topic (The Beat):
Examples: School lunch changes, New sports equipment, Upcoming school play.
Draft 4 powerful questions that will get your source talking!
01
02
03
04
Peer Review (Role Play Phase)
The Best Question Was...
Pro Tip for the Interviewer: 
