Close Reading in Elementary School

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 based on text type, how to accelerate learning through increasingly challenging texts in both print and digital media, how to use close reading as a springboard for close talks and close writes, and how to support your students to move forward confidently with a repertoire of tools to employ as they navigate complex text in their daily lives.

Special Features:

A clear explanation of what text complexity really means and how it varies by studentAn easy-to-use framework for creating a close reading lesson that builds student reading staminaScaffolds to help students at all ability levels to do a close readingClose reading strategies for a variety of literary and informational genresIdeas for strengthening reading through targeting comprehension skills, including analyzing text structure and evaluating argumentsSuggestions for helping students read with increasing levels of rigorTechniques for how to lessen student technology distractions and dig deeper into digital textGuidelines and procedures for close talks – purposeful, focused discussions about textProcedures for close writes that vary based on genre and student ability levelRecommendations to ensure students have the close reading skills to be effective readers in and out of the classroomIn addition, each chapter includes study guide questions to help you apply the ideas in the book to your own classroom. With this practical book, you will have all the tools you need to make close reading a reality!