2 Wonderful Classroom Posters on Close Reading

January 24, 2015
Close reading is definitely a "survival skill" particularly in a world drowned in information. Close reading is all about reading differently, it is reading for deep understanding through paying attention to what others would normally oversee. Being a close reader entails focus and dedication to your reading material. It empowers readers to delve deeper into the latent meanings of text searching for cues that make the reading a totally different experience, one that resembles the detective work. Close reading is also about critical reading, reading that does not take things at face value but rather investigates for what is hidden between the lines.

Below are two excellent posters I want to bring to your attention. You can print out and use these visuals in your class to help your students develop close reading strategies.
1- Read like a detective from We Are Teachers

2- Close reading anchor charts

For more resources on close reading, I would suggest this Pinterest board.

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Smart Reading Strategies Students Should Develop

December 27, 2014
Smart reading is a skill that students develop through using a set of robust strategies in their reading and analyzing of texts. I am not talking here about critical reading or close reading (through both of these types can be part of smart reading), smart reading is about knowing what to read, when to read , and how to read it. It is a holistic kind of practice that integrates other key reading skills such as skimming and scanning. In this wonderful visual from Learning Commons are featured some useful strategies students can use to improve their reading competencies towards becoming better and smart readers. These strategies include:

• Skim and take notes rather than read every single word
• Identify your reading priorities
• Dig for deeper understanding of concepts and arguments rather just prepositional knowledge
• Assign enough time for your readings.

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10 Important Tips for Successful Close Reading

December, 2014
Close reading is definitely a "survival skill" particularly in a world drowned in information. Close reading is all about reading differently, it is reading for deep understanding through paying attention to what others would normally oversight. Being a close reader entails focus and dedication to your reading material. It empowers readers to delve deeper into the latent meanings of text searching for cues that make the reading  a totally different experience,  one that resembles the detective work. Close reading is also about critical reading, reading that does not take things at face value but rather investigates for what is hidden between the lines.

In today's post, I am sharing with you this beautiful visual that features 10 tips for successful close reading. These tips are :

1- Select Short Passages

2- Make Your Focus Intense

3- Extend Focus Through the Text

4- Students Markup the Text as They Read

5- Encourage Exploratory Discussions

6- Encourage Rereading

7- Read in Every Subject Area

8- Annotate the Text

9- Use Close Reading Marks Independently

10- Use Close Reading Strategically in Small Bites

 
Via: Coolcatteacher

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10 Tips for Close Reading Success

October 28, 2014

Reading well requires much more than just decoding textual input, it is rather a process of making meaning of text using a wide range of critical and intellectual skills and drawing on different cues . Close reading is one example of a theory that explicates the intricacies surrounding effective reading. In close reading, readers need to consider a set of criteria for a better comprehension of the text. Some of the these criteria include: Language, Narrative, Syntax, and Context.

Language
Close attention to the diction or word choice ; identify the words the author chose to repeat or emphasize ?
Narrative
Close attention to the voice in the story, who is telling the story and how it is told?
Syntax
Examine the grammatical structures of utterances and the order in which the words appear.
Context
Every text is wrapped within a given context, pay close attention to the historical context and the author background.

In the visual below which I discovered through CoolcatTeacher, ten tips are provided for successful close reading activities. Check them out and weigh in by leaving a comment below.

Here is a quick round-up of the ten tips for close reading success:

• Select Short Passages
• Make Your Focus Intense
• Extend Focus Through the Text
• Students Markup the Text as They Read
• Encourage Exploratory Discussions
• Encourage Rereading
• Read in Every Subject Area
• Annotate the Text
• Use Close Reading Marks Independently
• Use Close Reading Strategically in Small Bites

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