Robust Comprehension Instruction with Questioning the Author: 15 Years Smarter

This practical K–12 teacher resource explains the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of using Questioning the Author (QtA), a powerful approach for enhancing reading comprehension and engagement. Thorough yet concise, the book shows how to plan lessons using both narrative and expository texts, formulate open-ended Queries, and guide class discussions around them. The authors discuss how QtA has evolved over many years of classroom application and include innovative ideas for integrating vocabulary instruction and writing prompts into QtA lessons. Also provided are steps for gradually transitioning from teacher-led instruction to independent reading. The book features extended examples of teachers implementing QtA, as well as four complete texts that can be downloaded and printed for classroom use.

This book is aimed at K–12 classroom teachers; literacy specialists and coaches; teacher educators and students in literacy programs.

Table of Contents

Background and Basics

1. The Building Blocks of Questioning the Author
2. The Current Scene in Reading Comprehension

Questioning the Author Essentials

3. Planning for Questioning the Author Lessons
4. Specific Plans for a Narrative and an Expository Text
5. Digging into Initiating and Follow-Up Queries
6. Specific Plans for a Narrative and an Expository Read-Aloud Text

Special Topics

7. What Comes after Reading and Interspersed Discussion?
8. Vocabulary in the Context of Comprehension
9. Approaching Writing with a Questioning the Author Perspective

Inside the Classroom

10. Moves to Keep Discussion Productive
11. One Teacher’s Journey with Questioning the Author
12. Students Take the Wheel

Appendix. Lesson Texts from Chapters 4 and 6

"The pioneering developers of QtA have examined the research, observed classroom discussions, and talked with teachers using QtA to further develop their effective approach. They have expanded QtA to include vocabulary and writing components along with text discussion. In particular, I am impressed with the numerous examples of QtA in action. Bravo!"
- Timothy Rasinski, PhD, Professor of Literacy Education, and Rebecca Tolle and Burton W. Gorman Chair in Educational Leadership, Kent State University

"A gem. Beck, McKeown, and Sandora synthesize decades of research and insight to show how teachers can effectively and authentically teach comprehension alongside vocabulary in any genre, subject, or grade level."
- Jon Gustafson, MA, sixth-grade teacher, Columbia Heights Public Schools, Minnesota