Help kids actually read so they actually learn. And actually like it.
TQE: Thoughts, Questions, and Epiphanies
Or, how I stopped killing the love of reading and (accidentally) changed everything about instruction.
Yep, I’m talking about that dream scenario where a tool can be used in any subject, any grade level, in any format of a text. The impact? It builds the skills for that lesson as well as the life skills necessary to make it as an employer.
What is TQE? It’s a student-driven and teacher supported exploration of a text through individual small group and whole class curated inquiry.
And just so you know, there’s a new course available to guide you through the process and all the innovative twists from teachers around the world who made TQE an integral part of their teaching.
The Ultimate TQE Course starts with TQE… and then keeps on going.
Now scroll on and get inspired!
“I used TQE’s with my sixth grade advanced learners the last two weeks and loved it! This is my tenth year teaching Tuck Everlasting and I heard insights I’d never heard before.”
— Amy, Teacher 6
TQE Steps:
1.Read/watch/listen.
Reading a book in your English class? Grabbed a relevant article from The New Yorker for your science class? Watching a speech in your history class? Any text will work, as long as the students read it.
2. Students develop Thoughts, Questions, and Epiphanies.
Students write their OWN Thoughts, Lingering Questions, and Epiphanies about the text. At first we use my question stems (see below) to guide them. But after the first unit, they get the hang of it and no longer need my guidance.
At first, students are most comfortable using the more simplistic question stem on the left because they mimic their familiar pervious reading assignments, but I model the questions on the right side during the first class discussions.
Want this slide? Grab yours for FREE here!
3. Students discuss in small groups.
Students share their TQEs in their small groups. They then determine which are the “top” two for each category. This teaches them to be critical not just about the insights, but the impact on the group’s learning.
4. Whole group discussion of Top 2 TQEs.
As a class, we discuss the top two TQEs. Students are engaged because they’re discussing THEIR ideas and insights. Students learn and build off of each other’s commentary.
“After using TQE throughout the year, my SBAC scores went from 69% proficient last year, to 83% proficient through the exclusive use of TQE during novel study. TQE gave my students the practice they needed to become deep analyzers and discussion masters… which in turn lead to success on our standardized tests.”
— Tyler, HS ELA
Ready to start TQE in your class?
Read my original blog on the TQE Method.
Listen to the first TQE conversation with Jennifer Gonzalez from Cult of Pedagogy.
Search up #TQE on Twitter to get ideas from teachers all over the world!
Get my TQE Discussion Stems for FREE.
Take The Ultimate TQE Course for a self-paced, guided path toward student-led everything!