10 Jack and the Beanstalk Comprehension Questions for Elementary Students
Do you remember the classic fairy tale ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’? It is a story about a young boy named Jack who trades his cow for a handful of magic beans and grows a beanstalk that reaches into the sky. What adventures will he encounter at the top of the beanstalk, and how will he manage to outsmart the giant?
As an elementary teacher, you may use this beloved tale to teach comprehension to young students. In this post, we will provide ten Jack and the Beanstalk comprehension questions that can be used as a tool to enhance reading and collaboration amongst your students.
1. Who are the characters in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk?
Before jumping into the tale, it is crucial for students to identify the characters. They are Jack, his mother, the old man, and the giant. Ask your students to draw and color the characters, helping them to form a mental picture while reading.
2. What was the trade that Jack made with the old man?
Jack exchanged his cow for a handful of magic beans with the old man. In our society, we exchange with money. Encourage your students to relate the story to their daily life and understand the concept of trading and exchanging.
3. How did Jack grow the beanstalk to reach the sky?
Remind your students that Jack was instructed to plant the magic beans in the ground by the old man. Unlike ordinary beans, these grew into a beanstalk that reached the sky.
4. What was the giant like?
The giant in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk was enormous and scary. What else could Jack and his mother do except be scared of him? Encourage your students to understand that it is normal to be afraid of things that seem threatening or unfamiliar.
5. What did Jack steal from the giant?
Throughout the story, Jack managed to sneak into the giant’s house and steal three treasures: the hen that lays the golden eggs, the golden harp that plays on its own, and the magic bag. Ask your students to explain the meaning of stealing and its consequences to them.
6. How did Jack trick the giant and escape?
In the end, Jack managed to trick the giant and escape. How did he do it? Let your students put on their thinking caps and discuss with one another how Jack could have used his wit to get out of danger.
7. What was Jack’s reward for his bravery?
After successfully defeating the giant, Jack was rewarded with the giant’s treasure, which included heaps of gold and riches. Ask your students to reflect on the importance of courage and bravery in everyday life.
8. Why do you think Jack returned home?
Jack returned home with his wealth because he missed his mother. In this question, ask your students to explore and understand Jack’s decision making to go back to where he came from.
9. What lesson can be learned from the story?
The story of Jack and the Beanstalk is full of life lessons that children should be encouraged to understand. Prompt your students to identify a lesson or meaning that they took from the tale that they can apply to their lives.
10. How would you have reacted if you were in Jack’s shoes?
Finally, a hypothetical question to invoke a sense of playfulness and pondering among your students. Let them use their creativity and put themselves in Jack’s shoes. Ask them to share how they would react in the same situation, and what they would do differently, if any.
The story of Jack and the Beanstalk is a classic children’s tale that can be an excellent resource for teaching comprehension in the classroom. Use these questions, and others that you can think of, to help your students engage with the story and learn valuable life lessons.
