2. QAR Strategy
In Science
InBritni Tincher
Science
EDMG 332
w/ Dr. Sharp

3. Question / Answer
Technique
Technique
QAR stand for Question-Answer Relationships
It is a reading comprehension strategy developed to "clarify how
students approach the tasks of reading texts and answering
questions" (Raphael 1986).
It helps students to become active, strategic readers. QAR shows you
where information can be found "In the Text" or "In my Head."
It then breaks down the actual question-answer relationships into four
types: (1) Right There, (2)Think and Search, (3) Author and You, and
(4) On My Own.

4. What It Looks Like

5. Bloom’s
Taxonomy
Comparison
Bloom’s Taxonomy QAR
Knowledge Right There questions
Comprehension Think and Search
Application Think and Search
Analysis Author and You/Me
Synthesis On My Own
Evaluation On My Own

6. How would I teach QAR in the
classroom?
• Begin by teaching the students the necessary
vocabulary: Right There, Think and Search, Author
and You, On My Own,
• Show them how the 4 types of questions work
• Guide students by having them identify different types
of questions, make up their own question from a
passage, and then answer them correctly.
• Have students write and label the different types of
questions followed by the correct answers.

7. My Lesson
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the section on otters carefully. Individually attempt to answer the first three questions as best you can based
on the information in the reading as well as your own experience. For the final “On Your Own” activity feel free to work with a
partner. You may choose to simply write out a description, or you may use the blank paper and coloring pencils provided to draw
your exhibit. Remember you will be asked to explain to the class what you have included and why.
RIGHT THERE: On which continents can otters be found? Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America
THINK AND SEARCH: How do baby otters get into the water for the first time?
River otters have their young on land in a underground den. When the young are two months old, the mother pushes the reluctant
young into the water. Sea otters actually give birth in the water. The mother then places the newborn on her chest while swimming
on her back and begins nursing the young.
AUTHOR AND YOU: Why do you think the presence of humans would cause the otter, which normally hunts in the day, to hunt at
night?
The author describes some of the effects humans have had on otter populations, but he or she does not describe exactly why
human presence would lead otters that normally hunt in the day to hunt at night. Students will hopefully be able to describe human
activity disturbing the otters and scaring them away from their normal hunting grounds. Since human activity in the outdoors is more
limited at night, the otters may experience less interference at night.
OWN MY OWN: You may work with a partner for this question. If you had to design a place for otters to live at a zoo, what would
you include and why? You may just write out your description or you may use the blank paper and coloring pencils provided to draw
a detailed picture. When everyone is finished you will each describe to the class what you included in your design and why it is
important.
Responses here can, and should, vary. Some essentials would be a swimming area, a piece of dry land, a place to dig a den or a
man-made den/shelter, slides for the otters’ amusement, and fish or other food.

8. STANDARDS
National Standards
E.A.2
Understandings about scientific inquiry
a. Scientific investigations involve asking and
answering a question and comparing the answer with SC-06-3.5.1 Students will explain that biological
what scientists already know about the world. change over time accounts for the diversity of
b. Scientists use different kinds of investigations species developed through gradual processes
depending on the questions they are trying to over many generations.
answer. Types of investigations include describing Biological adaptations include changes in
objects, events, and organisms, classifying them; and structures, behaviors, or physiology that
doing a fair test (experimenting). enhance survival and reproductive success in a
particular environment.
d. Scientists develop explanations using observations
(evidence) and what they already know about the
world (scientific knowledge). Good explanations are
based on evidence from investigations.
e. Scientists make the results of their investigations
public; they describe investigations in ways to that
enable others to repeat the investigations.
f. Scientists review and ask questions about the
results of other scientists’ work.

9. Hmmmmm???
Will all 5-9 grades be tested for reading
comprehension in our content area each year, or
will it be more of the content itself?
How will QAR be used in Math? There are not
very many books or texts for them to complete
the 4 steps. Will this be be tested over as well?

10. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_de

11. Bibliography
. "Reading in the Content Areas." Reading Educator. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb 2013. <
http://www.readingeducator.com/content/science/skills.htm>.
National Geographic Society. (1981). Book of Mammals, Volume Two. Washington, DC: Special Publications Division.
pp. 420-425.
Richardson, J. S. and R. F. Morgan. (2000). Reading to Learn in the Content Areas, Fourth Edition. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. pp. 153-190.
Smith, Khalid, perf. Asking and Answering Questions for Reading Comprehension . N.p., 27 Aug 2011. web. 6 Feb
2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKPf2sfW7ck
Kinniburgh, Leah, and Edward Shaw Jr. "Using Question–Answer Relationships to Build Reading Comprehension in
Science." Heldref Publications. Winter 2009: 19-27. Print.
Reading, Lady. "Teaching Children Where to Seek Answers to Questions." Question Answer Relationship. (2012): 1-14.
Web. 6 Feb. 2013. <
http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/QARQuestionAnswerRelationshipTeachingChildrenWheretoSeekAnswerstoQuestions.pdf
>.
Raphael, . "Teaching Kids to Read and Helping Those Who Struggle." Reading Rockets. (20013): n. page. Print.
<http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/question_answer_relationship/>.
Raphael, T.E., & Au, K.H. (2005). QAR: Enhancing comprehension and test taking across grades and content areas.
The Reading Teacher, 59, 206-221.