Close Reading

“Close Reading – an intensive analysis of a text in order to come to terms with what it says, how it says it, and what it means.”  Tim Shanahan

“Focused, sustained reading and rereading of a text for the purpose of understanding key points, gathering evidence, and building knowledge."   Pearson, page 48

How to Do a Close Read:

1. Teacher introduces the text and sets the purpose and the students read.
2. Students annotate the text, i.e., “read with a pencil or “interrogate the text.”
3. Students talk through their understanding of the text with a partner.
4. Teacher reads passages of text out loud as students follow along.
5. Teacher guides discussion (whole group, small group or partners) of the passage with text dependent questions.
6. Students record their thinking.

                                                                        WI Department of Public Instruction

Information Sheet on Close Reading

Reading Rockets - Articles, Videos, and More on Close Reading

Close Reading New Teacher Support Seminar 2015

Close Reading Inservice Session 2015