2nd Edition

Close Reading in Elementary School Bringing Readers and Texts Together

By Diana Sisson, Betsy Sisson Copyright 2024
194 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

194 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

194 Pages 36 B/W Illustrations
by Eye On Education

Many literacy experts believe close reading has the power to create strong, independent readers, but what does that really mean, and how does it work in the classroom? This book is your must-have guide to getting started! It provides step-by-step strategies and scaffolds for teaching close reading and improving students’ comprehension of complex texts. You will learn how to teach close reading... Read more

Preface

Meet the Authors

PART I Understanding Close Reading

Chapter 1 Defining Complex Text in the Classroom

Why Is Text Complexity a Significant Factor in Reading Instruction Today?

Measuring Text Complexity

The Essence of Text Complexity

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 2 Close Reading: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Practices

Historical Context

Close Reading Comes to American Classrooms

Reader Response Theory

The Return of Close Reading

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

 

Part II Close Reading in the Classroom

Chapter 3 An Overview of Close Reading Strategies

Ten Steps to Creating a Close Reading Lesson

Plan the Implementation

Scaffold the Process

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 4 Reading Across Literary and Informational Genres

Literary Genres

Informational Genres

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 5 Strengthening Reading Through Targeted Comprehension Skills

Reading for Details Using Both Literal and Inferential Understanding

Theme, Main Idea, and Summarization

Narrative Elements

Text Structure

Point of View

Diverse Text Formats and Media

Evaluate Arguments in Text

Comparing and Contrasting Multiple Texts on the Same Topic

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 6 Accelerating Learning With Increasing Levels of Rigor

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Webb’s DOK Levels

Differentiating Academic Rigor

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 7 Looking Deeper at Digital Text

Evolution of Reading

The Digital Brain

Delving Into Digital Texts

Academic Benefits of the Social Aspect of Reading

The Use of Writing as a Physical Interaction With Digital Learning

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

 

Part III Linking Close Reading With Close Talks and Close Writes

Chapter 8 Using Close Talks to Deepen Understanding

The Power of Questioning

Close Talks

Text

Questions

Students

Teacher

Preparing a Close Talk

Guidelines for Participating in a Close Talk

Close Talk Procedure

Close Talk Participation Rubric

Benefits of Close Talk

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

Chapter 9 Close Writes as a Springboard Into Student-Generated Writing

Reading-Writing Connection

The Close Write Model

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

 

Chapter IV The Independent Reader

Chapter 10 Building the Independent Reader

The Power of the Gradual Release of Responsibility

Teacher Modeling

Interactive Think Alouds

Guided Use of Whole-Class Close Reading Framework With Shared Text

Differentiating the Close Reading Process in Small Groups and Paired Reading

Using Feedback to Elevate Student Thinking

The Independent Reader

Closing Thoughts on the Transformational Effect of Close Reading

Summary

Book Study: Reflection Questions

References

Biography

Diana Sisson and Betsy Sisson, Ed.D.s, are international literacy consultants focusing on professional development and school improvement. They also serve as adjunct professors in the fields of teacher preparation, curriculum and instruction, educational research in literacy, and literacy instruction.