This is Laura from Where the Magic Happens and this is my first time blogging with this great crew! I have been crazy busy at school and have had a million things going on!
Anyhow, I have been reading and reflecting A LOT about how to transform my literacy teaching in this era of higher standards. For about a year I have been a close reading
So really what in the world is close reading?
According to Fisher and Frey, close reading is:
“an instructional routine in which students are guided in their understanding of complex texts.” Basically, close reading is a component of dynamic reading instruction where students:
- Read strategically
- Interact with the text
- Reread to uncover layers of meaning that lead to deeper understanding
- Analyze multiple component of the text and illustrations
- Focus on the author’s message
- Not all texts deserve a close reading
- Close reading is also not necessary when the text is fairly accessible. In other words, when choosing texts for close reading… you want to pick a text that do not give up their meaning easily or quickly.
- Close reading is MORE than a worksheet!!! Our students need to interact with their peers and their teachers using academic language and argumentation skills as they discuss the text.
- Close reading is not one-and-done reading! Rather, it is purposeful, careful, and thoughtful.
And honestly, I could go on and on…
I really could give you a million reasons.
These are some of the benefits of close reading:
- It leads students on a cognitive path that begins with discovering the literal meaning of a text and ends with the exploration of deeper meaning and a plan of what should occur as a result of the reading.
- Close reading will help our students understand the mechanics of a text, especially vocabulary, text structure, and the author’s craft.
- Close reading will require that all students cite textual evidence in their products.
If you are thinking that a close read is an easy task for the teacher… then you might be like Santa Claus in the month of August.
Close reads are divided into four different phases:
- What does the text say? (general understanding and key details)
- How does the text work? (vocabulary, structure, author’s craft)
- What does the text mean? (author’s purpose)
- What does the text inspire you to do? (extended thinking)
You go right ahead and download this evidence based terminology poster to use during your close reading time! {click on picture!!}
And just in case you are wondering, this is what Fisher & Frey recommend as the best think marks for close reading based on their research.
Don't forget to enter our huge birthday giveaway! You don't want to miss it! Enter below using the Rafflecopter.
Until next time!
I can tell that you are a fantastic teacher because you explained this so well. Thank you for taking the time to post this and offer the freebies. Both my first graders and I will benefit from your generosity. <3
ReplyDeleteJulie
You are so sweet! I am so glad that the freebies will come in handy!
Delete