Close and Critical Reading
Accessing Complex Text
tinyurl.com/closereadingIAF
What is Close Reading?
“Close Reading of text involves an investigation of a short piece of text, with multiple readings done over multiple instructional lessons. Through text-based questions and discussion, students are guided to deeply analyze and appreciate various aspects of the text, such as key vocabulary and how its meaning is shaped by context; attention to form, tone, imagery and/or rhetorical devices; the significance of word choice and syntax; and the discovery of different levels of meaning as passages are read multiple times.”
(Brown and Kappes, 2012)
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: A primer on “close reading of text”
Scaffolds of Close Reading
•Repeated Readings at different levels of questioning
•Annotation: Read with a pencil
•Collaborative Conversations
•Text-Dependent Questions at increasingly complex levels
The Four Phases of Close Reading (Fisher & Frey)
What Does This Mean for Teaching & Learning?
- time and resources to build "reading stamina" with engaging, self-selected texts;
- many opportunities to practice close reading of complex text across the content areas;
- support in developing academic language proficiency through speaking, listening, and close reading;
- learning tasks requiring evidence to inform, argue and analyze (write and speak with support from sources).
- collaborate on reading strategies and academic vocabulary across the curriculum;
- discuss what content-area reading students are experiencing and what they are doing to support students in navigating complex text;
- address fluency for those students who need it.
Complex Text Resources
- Reading and Question Samples from Today's Workshop
- Mel.org-Michigan Electronic Library
- Kelly Gallagher's Article of the Week-San Diego high school educator assigns close reading on current articles on a regular basis. Articles with prompts included. Includes archived titles, too.
- www.ReadWorks.org-reading passages, paired texts, and question sets by theme and content. Teachers can search by keywords, topics, text-types, and skills--and can adjust reading levels.
- CommonLit.org; Theme-based text resources for 5-12 gr students.
- www.newsela.com includes articles and text sets by content and topic. Teachers may adjust the reading level, as well as convert the language to Spanish. Includes quizzes.
- Tween Tribune-Smithsonian resource with topics and quizzes at different levels. Also in Spanish.
- LiveScience-Intriguing and trending articles, photos, and infographs on all things Science.
- Resources for Founding Documents & Great Global Conversation
- Articles from all over the world
Pro/Con Issues
Visuals/Multimedia
teach students to focus on details
make inferences, analyze
- Graphs of the Week
- Ted Talks
Teacher Resources
Text Dependent Questions & Webb's DOK
The Roots of Comprehension: Studying Latin & Greek word origins
Education and Learning
Email: lmadden@geneseeisd.org
Website: www.geneseeisd.org
Location: 2413 W Maple Ave, Flint, MI, United States
Phone: 8105914469
Twitter: @lisa_madden