English · Class 1 · Listening and Responding · Term 2

Asking 'Where' and 'When' Questions

Learning to use 'where' and 'when' to gather information about location and time.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• CBSE: Framing Questions - Class 1
• CBSE: Inquiry and Interaction - Class 1

About This Topic

Asking 'where' and 'when' questions teaches Class 1 students to use these words for gathering details on location and time. Children practise framing simple queries like "Where is the cat sitting?" or "When does the story happen?" using pictures, stories, and classroom objects. This fits CBSE standards on framing questions and inquiry in the Listening and Responding unit for Term 2, building basic speaking and listening skills.

In the English curriculum, this topic supports interaction by encouraging children to seek information actively. It connects 'where' to familiar places such as home, school, or market, and 'when' to routines like morning assembly or festival times. Regular practice helps students grasp question structure and boosts confidence in conversations.

Active learning suits this topic well. Games, pair interviews, and picture hunts make questioning lively and relevant. Children speak freely, listen to peers, and apply skills instantly, which strengthens memory and makes lessons enjoyable for young learners.

Key Questions

1. Where is the cat sitting?
2. When does the story happen , in the morning or at night?
3. Can you ask a 'where' question about this picture?

Learning Objectives

• Identify the function of 'where' to ask about location.
• Identify the function of 'when' to ask about time.
• Formulate simple 'where' questions about objects in a given picture.
• Formulate simple 'when' questions about a short narrative.
• Distinguish between 'where' and 'when' questions in spoken prompts.

Before You Start

Identifying Common Objects

Why: Students need to be able to identify objects in their environment to ask 'where' questions about them.

Understanding Basic Time Concepts (Morning/Afternoon/Night)

Why: A foundational understanding of time helps students grasp the concept of 'when' questions.

Key Vocabulary

where	This word is used to ask about a place or position. For example, 'Where is your school bag?'
when	This word is used to ask about the time something happens. For example, 'When do you eat lunch?'
location	This means the place where something is. 'Where' questions help us find the location.
time	This refers to the moment something happens, like morning, afternoon, or a specific hour. 'When' questions help us find the time.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

'Where' and 'when' mean the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

'Where' asks about place, like 'Where is the book?', while 'when' asks about time, like 'When is lunch?'. Use sorting activities with example cards; peer discussions in pairs help children distinguish and practise correct usage.

Common Misconception

Questions need many words to be correct.

What to Teach Instead

Simple questions work best, such as 'Where is it?'. Model short ones during games; hands-on pair practice shows children that clear, short questions get good answers, building their confidence.

Common Misconception

Only teachers ask questions.

What to Teach Instead

Everyone can ask to learn more. Role-play interviews let children lead questioning; group sharing reinforces that student questions matter and spark class talks.

Active Learning Ideas

Picture Walk: Question Rounds

Display 4-5 large pictures of daily scenes. In small groups, children take turns asking one 'where' or 'when' question about the picture, such as 'Where is the child playing?' Group members answer and add their own question. Note best questions on a board.

30 min·Small Groups

Story Chain: Where and When Queries

Read a short story aloud. Form a circle with the whole class. Each child asks one 'where' or 'when' question about the story to the next child, who answers briefly before asking their own. Continue until all have participated.

25 min·Whole Class

Pair Interviews: Routine Talk

Pairs pretend to interview each other about school day. One child asks 'where' and 'when' questions like 'When do you come to school?' Partner answers. Switch roles after 5 questions each. Share one fun question with class.

35 min·Pairs

Classroom Hunt: Question Scavenger

Hide picture cards around the room. Individually, children find a card and write or say one 'where' or 'when' question about it. Gather to share questions and answers in a group discussion.

20 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• When you go to a new shop, you might ask the shopkeeper, 'Where is the stationery section?' to find what you need.
• During a school assembly, the principal might ask, 'When will the next event be?' to inform students about future activities.
• If you are playing hide-and-seek, you ask, 'Where are you?' to find your friends.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Show students a picture of a classroom with a cat sleeping on a chair. Ask: 'Can you ask me a 'where' question about the cat?' Listen for questions like 'Where is the cat?'

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with a simple sentence, e.g., 'The train arrives at 3 PM.' Ask them to write one 'when' question about this sentence. Collect and review for understanding of 'when'.

Discussion Prompt

Hold up two objects, one representing a place (like a toy house) and one representing time (like a clock). Ask: 'Which word helps us ask about the house? Which word helps us ask about the clock?'

Frequently Asked Questions

How to introduce where and when questions in Class 1 English?

Start with familiar pictures or stories. Model questions like 'Where is the sun?' or 'When do birds sing?'. Let children repeat and try their own in chorus. Use daily routines for context, such as school timings or playground spots, to make it relatable and build from listening to speaking skills over 2-3 lessons.

What are common mistakes in teaching where and when questions?

Children often mix 'where' with 'what' or make questions too long. Correct by sorting question cards into types during group work. Avoid rushing; give time for pair practice to self-correct, ensuring they grasp structure without frustration.

How can active learning help students master where and when questions?

Active methods like picture hunts and pair interviews engage children fully. They ask real questions, hear answers from peers, and adjust instantly, unlike rote drills. This boosts speaking confidence, listening skills, and retention, as Class 1 learners thrive on play-based practice that links to their world.

What classroom resources for where and when question practice?

Use printed pictures of Indian festivals, homes, or school life, flashcards with clocks, and simple storybooks. Add toy props for role-play. Low-cost items like chart paper for question lists work well. Rotate resources weekly to keep interest high and connect to CBSE inquiry goals.