Questioning the Author“QtA”

Barbara Fetner

Overview

• QtA is when students reflect on what the author is trying to say in order to construct meaning.

• It is used in grades K-12• The strategy can be implemented for narrative and expository texts• Content area classrooms can use QtA while reading the

textbook.• QtA does not require a student to be able to read because of

the collaboration done between the teacher and students.

Methodology

• The lesson begins with an open-ended question asked by the teacher after reading

• Students provide responses • The teacher then provides follow-up comments or questions

built on each other.• Discussions result and students are able to consider the

author's point as well as student's point.• Teachers are able to model the QtA approach by discussing

aloud their thoughts about the questions they ask while reading.

• Students learn by participating in discussions and collaborating with other students.

• Students draw from prior knowledge about a concept and through discussion and apply new ideas to it.

• Students must understand words in order to understand the text.

• Constructivist Approach– Teacher facilitates discussion and gradually releases

the leadership role to the students.– Students are active participants in the discussion.– Students then begin to initiate questioning and

respond to fellow peers’ ideas

Outcome

• Students learn to:– focus on the author's message– link information through discussions– offer ideas

• Students participating in the seminal article study increased various levels of constructing meaning.

• Students self monitoring also increased during the implementation of the QtA strategy.

References

Seminal Articles:Beck, I., McKeown, M., Sandora, C., Kucan, L., & Worthy, J. (1996). Questioning the Author:

A Yearlong Classroom Implementation to Engage Students with Text. The Elementary School Journal, 96(4), 385-414.

McKeown, M., Beck, I. (2004). Transforming Knowledge into Professional Development Resources: Six Teachers Implement a Model of Teaching for Understanding Text. The Elementary School Journal, 104(5), 391-408.

Books:Beck, I. (1997). Questioning the Author: an approach for enhancing student engagement

with text. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Question the Author: Reading Rocketshttp://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/question_the_author

Videos: Questioing the Author-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZxb8v4uei0