Scribd
Upload
345 views

Close Reading

This document discusses close reading strategies for teachers. It defines close reading as carefully rereading short passages of text multiple times to gain a deeper understanding. It recommends limiting frontloading and using text-dependent questions to guide students' analysis. Three close reading strategies are described: focusing on a specific purpose, analyzing different text levels, and annotating text. Questions should lead students to discover the text's complexity independently. The goal is to build independence and comprehension, not dependence on the teacher.

Uploaded by

api-223530755
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
345 views

Close Reading

This document discusses close reading strategies for teachers. It defines close reading as carefully rereading short passages of text multiple times to gain a deeper understanding. It recommends limiting frontloading and using text-dependent questions to guide students' analysis. Three close reading strategies are described: focusing on a specific purpose, analyzing different text levels, and annotating text. Questions should lead students to discover the text's complexity independently. The goal is to build independence and comprehension, not dependence on the teacher.

Uploaded by

api-223530755
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

A Closer Look at

Close Reading
Carol Bush
Professional Development Specialist
Center for School Improvement & Professional Development
Orleans/Niagara BOCES

What does the Common Core say about


text complexity and close reading?

Shift 3 & 4: Staircase of Complexity and Text-based


answers

Standard 1: Read closely to determine what the text


says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it;
cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking
to support conclusions drawn from the text.

Standard 10: Read and comprehend complex literary


and informational texts independently and proficiently.

Appendix A: Supporting research for basis of text


complexity.

Appendix B: Compiled list of authentic texts at


appropriate grade band complexities.

A few tips for close


reading...

Independent close reading generally begins in 3 rd grade

The task(s) associated with close reading will determine how


complex the text must/can be

Must raise engagement and joy, not diminish it

Must lead to student independence, not dependence on teacher


prompting

Must be one part of your reading instruction, not the only part

Close reading does not necessarily occur every day or in every


lesson but it should occur on a regular basis

There are various approaches to close reading and it should be


designed in response to your students needs not just part of a
scope and sequence or an activity that matches a specific book

So what exactly is
close reading?
Rereading for the purpose of recognizing details and nuances

of text that may go unnoticed during a cursory first read so


that new understandings and insights may reveal themselves
Burkins and Yaris

It requires students to get truly involved with the text they are

reading. The purpose is to teach them to notice features and


language used by the author.
Reading A-Z

Figuring out a high quality text


Timothy Shanahan

A careful and purposeful rereading of a text


Douglas Fisher

So what exactly is close


reading of text?
Close reading is a careful and purposeful

rereading of a text.

It allows students to experience the text on their


own (without the teacher doing a lot of the work for
them).

Questions invite students back into the text several


times to discover some of the key ideas and details,
the authors purpose, the story structure, etc.
Students gather the clues on their own (as a result
of strategic questioning techniques) to develop
overall comprehension of the text.

Strategy #1: Close


Reading for a Specific
Purpose
Set purpose for reading
Cold read of complex text (limited frontloading)
Repeated readings of short passages within the

text (leading to specific purpose)


Text-dependent questions (ultimate goal is to

lead students to ask the questions)

Lets Read!

Read through The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg


On a sheet of paper, write down who you think the

stranger is.

Taking a closer look

Important pages to look at

p4

p5
p7
p10
P13
p14

Characteristics of Close
Reading for a Specific
Purpose
Complex text
Short passages
Limited frontloading
Repeated readings
Text-dependent questions

Creating a close reading


with The Wretched
Stone

Select a complex text.

Determine what students should walk away with as a


result of reading this text.

Determine the sections of the text that will lead students


to this discovery and are worth rereading.

Identify any elements that need to be frontloaded (for the


sections of text that students will be rereading).

Design questions that invite students back into the text to


discover its complexity (80%).

Questions should build background knowledge and lead to


overall comprehension.

Strategy #2: Lower the


Level
Set purpose for reading
Cold read of complex text (limited frontloading)
Analysis of text on 4 levels (leading to overall

comprehension)

Word/phrase level

Sentence level

Passage level

Story level

Text-dependent questions

Strategy #3: Annotation

Set purpose for reading

Cold read of complex text (limited frontloading)

Systematic process for annotation (scaffolded)

Circling, underlining, highlighting

Marginal notes

Sticky notes

What to annotate

Important words/phrases

Key ideas

Supporting details

Passage/Paragraph summaries

Confusing parts

Annotating Text

Three-step process (applicable to media, narratives, and


informational text)

Read through different lenses

Identify patterns

Develop a new understanding of the text based on the patterns

Nuts & Bolts

Text evidence

Word choice

Structure

Combining
strategies
Making the Declaration of Independence Come

Alive (lower the level/annotation)


Tapestry Charter School (annotation/close

reading for a specific purpose)


Never underestimate the power of discussion
Text Talk Time
N-word Socratic Seminar

Claims/Counterclaims Socratic Seminar

Questions?
Carol H. Bush
Professional Development Specialist
Center for School Improvement and Professional
Development
Orleans/Niagara BOCES
716-731-6800 x3755
[email protected]

You might also like