One of the pieces of close reading I really focused on this past year was the types of questions being asked during each read and teaching my students how to identify those questions. By the end of the year, my students were able to read the questions of an article prior to reading the article, and they were able to tell me which read they would be able to answer that question on and why. This took a lot of work - but it was so worth it!
One of the ways I was able to do this was by teaching my students what each read was about, specifically starting with the first read. That first read is supposed to be the 'big picture'. I'm not supposed to remember specific details of events. I might, but I'm not required. I need to know those big ideas - and with that I should be able to answer some big idea questions. In our classroom - here were those questions:
- What is the main idea?
- What is the author's purpose of the text?
- What is the genre of the text?
- What is the theme? (if not nonfiction)
- What is the author's perspective about _____?
These questions were asked after EVERY first read no matter what our overall objective was. So if I was teaching making inferences and we had completed our first read - we took time to go over these questions to make sure we had that 'big picture' in mind. But was we came to find was just asking these questions after each first read, got a little redundant. So of course I had to find ways to put a spin on it! So today I get to share with you 7 different and engaging activities you can do after a first read on any article or text! No matter how you tackle a close read - these activities can help spice up your close reading and get the students truly engaged in knowing that 'big picture' of the text before you dig deeper!
#1 - Color Coded Questions
This is a fun and simple idea to help minimize the work your students do, but allowing them to still be able to hear and be a part of the entire discussion. All you need is different colored beads (or something similar to) and the recording sheet. Pass out the beads, one to each student and assign one of the first read questions (see above) to each color. I write my colors and questions on the board for a visual. Have the students get out a crayon that matches their color of bead. As they read the text, they use their crayon to underline evidence to support their answer for their question only. After reading, record their answer for their question only. Then go over each question calling on the students with that bead. If it wasn't their question - they then listen and record the answer to the other questions! Quick, fun, focused, and simple! (See bottom of post to download recording sheet)
#2 - Group It!
This easy idea can be done on scratch paper or post its. Using the same first read questions, ask one question at a time and give them about 1-2 minutes to answer. Then pull out a popsicle stick of a fun way to group the students. These fun ways can include: birthday month, tallest to shortest, youngest to oldest, etc. Pull out a popsicle stick or verbalize how you want them to be grouped. Group them quickly and then in their groups they go around sharing their answers for the question. They must then pick what they think is the strongest answer to be shared. Allow each group to share their answer and discuss. Go back to your seat for question #2 and repeat!
#3 - Reverse It!
This is a fun one! All you need for this is index cards and markers. You have a bit of prep work for this one but I promise it doesn't take too much time. Prior to the first read, create index cards with the ANSWERS to all of the first read questions of your text. Write each answer in a different color. (ex: all my main idea answers are in blue) You'll want to make multiple copies of each card so you have enough for everyone to have their own card. So when I did mine I made 5 of each answer card so altogether I had 25 cards. Before the first read, pass the cards out to the students and review with them what the 'big picture' first read questions are. Tell them that today you're going to reverse the roles and that you've given then the answers to the first read questions - but they have to figure out which first read question they have been given. Complete your first read and then give the students time to write which question they think their index card answers - write it on the back of the card. Then have the students group themselves by color (technically it's by question but they don't know that!) Have them make sure everyone in their group has the same color then have them compare their answers - which technically is the question they just wrote. If someone in their group has a different question written down, odds are they are incorrect and need go go back to their seats to rethink - which gives you an opportunity to give some one on one help! Have each group share out and discuss!
#4 - Poster Time!
Gather up some small poster boards for this one - you can even reuse some that are used up on one side. After the first read, group the students into small groups (3-4) and give each group a poster board and a marker. Have them create 3 first read questions and write them with space in between on their board. When done, have them trade with another group. Now they must answer the questions created by that group and justifying their answer! Trade back and grade - then group back together and share out!
#5 - Dice it Up!
This idea is simple and ready to go - just add dice! Same first read questions, but put the students into partners and have them roll to see which question they get to answer first. OR even better and if you want to do more whole group - create your own first read dice by taping index cards to each side of a square tissue box and rolling it as a class and recording your answer! (Freebie included in the download below!)
This easy idea can be done on scratch paper or post its. Using the same first read questions, ask one question at a time and give them about 1-2 minutes to answer. Then pull out a popsicle stick of a fun way to group the students. These fun ways can include: birthday month, tallest to shortest, youngest to oldest, etc. Pull out a popsicle stick or verbalize how you want them to be grouped. Group them quickly and then in their groups they go around sharing their answers for the question. They must then pick what they think is the strongest answer to be shared. Allow each group to share their answer and discuss. Go back to your seat for question #2 and repeat!
#3 - Reverse It!
This is a fun one! All you need for this is index cards and markers. You have a bit of prep work for this one but I promise it doesn't take too much time. Prior to the first read, create index cards with the ANSWERS to all of the first read questions of your text. Write each answer in a different color. (ex: all my main idea answers are in blue) You'll want to make multiple copies of each card so you have enough for everyone to have their own card. So when I did mine I made 5 of each answer card so altogether I had 25 cards. Before the first read, pass the cards out to the students and review with them what the 'big picture' first read questions are. Tell them that today you're going to reverse the roles and that you've given then the answers to the first read questions - but they have to figure out which first read question they have been given. Complete your first read and then give the students time to write which question they think their index card answers - write it on the back of the card. Then have the students group themselves by color (technically it's by question but they don't know that!) Have them make sure everyone in their group has the same color then have them compare their answers - which technically is the question they just wrote. If someone in their group has a different question written down, odds are they are incorrect and need go go back to their seats to rethink - which gives you an opportunity to give some one on one help! Have each group share out and discuss!
#4 - Poster Time!
Gather up some small poster boards for this one - you can even reuse some that are used up on one side. After the first read, group the students into small groups (3-4) and give each group a poster board and a marker. Have them create 3 first read questions and write them with space in between on their board. When done, have them trade with another group. Now they must answer the questions created by that group and justifying their answer! Trade back and grade - then group back together and share out!
#5 - Dice it Up!
This idea is simple and ready to go - just add dice! Same first read questions, but put the students into partners and have them roll to see which question they get to answer first. OR even better and if you want to do more whole group - create your own first read dice by taping index cards to each side of a square tissue box and rolling it as a class and recording your answer! (Freebie included in the download below!)
#6 - Note Taking!
Have you kids practice the art of note taking while you're doing your first read. Make a version of the Lotus Diagram (see below). In each of the 8 squares is one of the first read questions/concepts. In the middle of the Diagram is the title of the article/story. Have the students place a star in 3 of the boxes. Those will be the three questions/concepts that the student focuses on - all 8 would be overwhelming! As they do their first read, stop ever now and then and give the students time to take 'notes' - they may need this modeled to them. They can write evidence or summarize something from the text - but they need to write it in the box that matches their question that they stared. When done - have them partner up with someone else and compare notes - discuss as a class. (Blank one included in the download)
#7 - Evidence Flow Chart
This is one of my favorite ones! After completing the first read - pick out different pieces of evidence from the text and write it on the board. Have the students then create a web or flow chart of "What does this show me?". This means - based on this evidence - what do I now know? For example the sentence: "The bear picked up the chair and threw it across the room." would be a great piece of evidence to show me the genre as well as a character trait for the bear. It's almost like a role reversal! After doing this a time or two whole group - your students might enjoy doing this in smaller groups!
I hope you are leaving with a fun idea or two to help get your readers engaged and conversing after that first read. If you're interested in any of the printables, you can get them here for free! Let me know what YOUR favorite first read activities are - I'd love to hear them! :)
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