Closer Reading, Grades 3-6: Better Prep, Smarter Lessons, Deeper Comprehension / Edition 1

by Nancy N. Boyles

Overview

Close . . . Closer . . . Closest!

Close Reading. Not in a very long while has a term been freighted with so much responsibility to lead every student to a great future of college and career readiness. Finally, here’s a book that tunes out all of the hubbub and gets down to the business of showing how exactly to “get close reading right.”

Chapter by chapter, Nancy Boyles delivers astoundingly practical ideas on how to

• Connect close reading with other instructional practices
• Select rich texts and plan for initial close reading lessons
• Deliver initial and follow-up close reading lessons
• Coordinate comprehension strategies and close reading

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483304458
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/06/2014
Series:	Corwin Literacy
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

A former classroom teacher and professor of reading, Nancy Boyles is a literacy consultant, who provides workshops, model lessons, and curriculum support to districts and organizations nationally, regionally, and locally. Over the course of her career she has received numerous awards , including New England Reading Association’s Outstanding Literacy Leader Award and Connecticut Reading Association’s Celebrate Literacy Award for exemplary service.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Laura Robb
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Closer Reading: Closer Than What?
Chapter 2. Choosing a Complex Text for Close Reading
Chapter 3. Getting in the Mindset of Close Reading
Chapter 4. Supporting Readers Before Close Reading
Chapter 5. Supporting Readers During Close Reading
Chapter 6. Supporting Readers After Close Reading
Chapter 7. Moving Students Toward Independence in Close Reading
Chapter 8. Digging Deeper in Close Reading Through Rereading, Small-Group Instruction, and Independent Reading
Chapter 9. Close Reading for the Common Core—and More
Appendices
Appendix I. Templates for Designing Close Reading Lessons
Preparing for Close Reading
Planning for Close Reading
Appendix II. Sample Lesson Plan for Shared Reading: "She Was THAT Kind of Lady "
Text Selection and Preparation for Close Reading
Lesson Planner for Close Reading
Appendix III. Templates for After Reading
Template 1: Most Important Words
Template 2: Theme Chart
Template 3: Gist Statement and Brief Summary
Template 4: Noticing Text Structure and Genre
Template 5: Evidence From First Close Reading of a Text
Template 6: Paraphrase It!
Template 7: Words That Show Tone
Template 8: Looking Into Illustrations
Template 9: Viewing a Video
Template 10: Reading a Photograph
Template 11: Evaluating an Argument
Template 12: Reading and Evaluating a Primary Source
Template 13: Reading Like a Scientist
Template 14: Reading Like a Historian
Appendix IV. Websites for Short Texts
Appendix V. Bibliography of Picture Books for Close Reading
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Nancy Boyles combines her vast knowledge of literacy, the Common Core Standards, and best practices for students as she guides our understanding of close reading: what it is, what it isn’t, and how to embed it into daily instruction. . . . This book is a treasure of knowledge and practical teaching practices that won’t collect dust on any shelf.”

Jen Tapia

Nancy Boyles does a superb job of explaining close reading and when teachers should have students engage with it. Through the wealth of practical teaching ideas she offers herein, she reminds us that reading is purpose driven. . . . The result is that teachers and students alike understand when to read close and, as important, not so close!”

Michael F. Opitz

Nancy’s ability to ‘sit on your shoulder’ as she guides you to understand the real meaning of close reading, choose appropriate text for an authentic purpose, and assess its effectiveness—all while building on our prior knowledge and affirming our passion and commitment to be better teachers—is like no other. . . This outstanding resource is a ‘must-have’ professional text.”

Barbara E. Mechler

Nancy Boyles’ Closer Reading, Grades 3-6, is my new ‘go-to’ book for sorting through the myths, mystique, uncertainties, and questions surrounding the close reading of complex text and, more importantly, the positioning of readers, writers, learners, and teachers as they navigate close reading within and beyond a standards-based curriculum.”

Jane Wellman-Little

It’s a comfort knowing that at last there’s a book about close reading that honors and respects the needs of teachers in the intermediate grades. You will read, dog ear pages, study the book with team members, and revisit and reread parts on your own. It is a must-have book for your professional library and for professional learning communities!”

Laura Robb

This is the book you have been waiting for! With keen insight and explicit attention to detail, Nancy Boyles provides the resources you need, just when you need them. Closer Reading is a ‘must have ’ for all literacy leaders, administrators, and teachers who want to see their students gain a deeper understanding of reading comprehension.

Cathy Mastrianna