Game Changer for My Class

For the past two years, I have researched close reading strategies; however, I would eventually become confused and frustrated with all the information. Personally, I had never observed a close read and all the information was overwhelming. I knew that it could be a wonderful tool, but all the information and suggestions intimidated me. I also wanted to teach my students how to recognize questioning types. Again, I was at a lost where to start or how to teach this particular skill. Because of this and recent classroom data, I decided to ask for advice on a Facebook site and I was directed toward QAR strategies. I researched and implemented QAR strategies in my classroom, and I personally feel this has been a game changer for my students. I decided to combine QAR strategies with close reading. My students’ weekly test scores have improved along with their grades. This is my 10th year and I wish I had discovered and implemented these strategies years ago.
Wishing you the best, Tessa Filyaw/Making a Difference Daily

Simplified Close Read Steps: Before reading the text make notes on side of text: 1.) Make a prediction: I predict…. 2.) Determine and label the genre (nonfiction) 3.) Preview text and determine author’s purpose. (AP)= inform 
1st Read: Place a box around any unknown words. Draw arrows to context clues that helped explain the meaning of the unknown word. Discuss unknown words with peers and teacher. 
2nd Read: Identify the main idea and 3 key details-Apply QAR strategies 
3rd Read: Answer text dependent questions. (Key Ideas, Craft and Structure, Integration of knowledge) . -Apply QAR strategies 

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QAR Color Codes: (Question-Answer Relationship)

In my text questions: (YELLOW) These are the basic who, what, when, where and how questions. The answers to these questions types can be located in the text. I color code these questions and answers yellow. The students decide if the question can be found in the text or if the question takes inferring and schema to answer. 

In my head questions: (ORANGE): These question types requires a higher level of thinking. The answer to the question may not be located in the text. To answer these questions students have to use clues from the text, schema, and make inferences. Students must be explicitly taught how to answer these questions and how to locate text clues. 

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QAR and Close Read