When I first heard of close reading and its benefits, I thought it could be a strategy that could be beneficial in helping my students tackle a higher-level text. Many of my students were below grade level each year and struggled when it came time for assessments that were on grade level or above. I wanted them to have strategies to help them better understand the text. If you want to find out more about close reads and getting started with them in your classroom, check out this post by clicking here.
Once we started using the strategies in the classroom, I was amazed to see some students using it voluntarily on reading assessments and activities. The main issue other students had was the idea of reading a passage more than once. To them, that was just more work and not worth it. After much practice and proving to them that they could do it, they started to slowly come around. The things that really got them onboard were these differentiated close reading passages with mystery grid pictures. Find out more about them by clicking here or check them out in my shop by clicking here.
Close reads quickly became something the students didn’t mind doing and they actually got excited when they saw these. I think the key is the HIGH-INTEREST topics plus the accountability of the mystery pictures. There are several ways that they can be incorporated into your classroom so that your students are practicing important reading skills and strategies while learning about interesting topics. Read below to find out some options for using close reads in your classroom.
Whole Group
When first beginning close reads, we would practice as a whole group as I would demonstrate on the interactive whiteboard at the front of the classroom. Students always do the first read on their own but doing it as a whole group gave us an opportunity to start using the strategies quicker as they were all exposed to the beginning steps to get them going. Once students know the strategies and what is expected, we don’t really do anything whole group after that.
Small Groups
Small groups are the perfect time to check in on students using close reading strategies. Students always do the first reading on their own to get “the gist” of the passage. The second reading is when they should be marking up their text and really diving deeper into what the text is actually saying. The second reading is perfect for small groups…especially when they are first learning the strategies. You can check in on them easily and really model what you expect them to be doing as they read the second time.
Centers
Once students know the strategies and are using them more consistently. The close reading passages with mystery pictures make the perfect center activity because there is a lot of important practice. It will take them multiple days to complete and it is something they enjoy so they look forward to it. (Day 1: 1st read + questions, Day 2: 2nd read + questions, Day 3: 3rd read + coloring, Day 4: Writing prompt, Day 5: Finish up) Close Reads with Mystery Pictures make it fun and engaging for students so they actually stay working during centers while you meet with small groups. It can be done individually, with partners, or in groups.
Homework
Close reading passages can be great for a weekly homework assignment. They are differentiated so students get the level of reading difficulty they need while still practicing the same skills as everyone else in the class. One passage would work for an entire week. That way, students can work on it throughout the week and have it to turn in on Friday. (Monday: 1st read + questions, Tuesday: 2nd read + questions, Wednesday: 3rd read + coloring, Thursday: Writing prompt, Friday: Hand it in) They cover skills that have been repeated throughout grades 3-6 while exposing students to some skills that they may be seen at a later time or grade level.
Holidays
Holidays were always a struggle for me because I always wanted to do something fun for the holiday but still needed to cover content. A lot of times, students didn’t even know the meaning behind many of the holidays throughout the year and how they came about. There are holiday versions of the close reading passages with mystery pictures that are perfect for incorporating and learning about the holiday all while practicing many important ELA standards. PLUS, the kids LOVE it. They really make for a fun way of celebrating holidays without much effort from you…just print and go! All you need are pencils and something to color with. Click here to check out my close reading holiday bundle or check them all out by clicking here.
Substitute Plans
Need a no-stress activity to print and leave for a sub? We all know it can be a struggle of what to leave for a sub…you don’t want to leave something new because you may have to reteach it anyway. You don’t want to just leave busy work because you still want your students practicing and learning. Close reading passages are perfect for a sub because you know your students will be reading and practicing important skills AND they LOVE them because they have something I have found that students LOVE…mystery pictures! My students would do anything for a mystery picture activity…even read a passage more multiple times. Substitutes will love them because students will be behaved and busy!
Tutoring
The best way to get students struggling in reading to be better in reading is for them to….you guessed it, READ! If you are tutoring students that need help in reading, close reading strategies may be a great option for you. Start them on the lower level until they start feeling more confident and really are understanding the strategies. Since you are right there working with them, you can walk them through the strategies and really help them to tackle more difficult text while reading about topics they might actually be interested in learning more about.
Test Prep
While close reads are a great test prep option to use throughout the entire year, they help make for some fun review right before the big test, too. My students and I always dreaded the required review time each year before state testing. It was dry, not very much fun, and didn’t really feel like much of a review as my students were disengaged. I was totally to blame as I thought the only way to review for the test was to take practice tests…boy was I wrong! I started incorporating games and close reads with mystery pictures and my students now cheer when it’s time for review. There are so many skills being practiced in each set that they make a perfect review that students will actually enjoy and I was happy cause I knew they were actually practicing the skills I needed them to.
Room Transformation
Room transformations are all the rage and I’ve had many teachers use close reads as one or more of the activities they have available for a room transformation. With topics about, emojis, sweets, football, and more, close read can be the perfect addition to a room transformation. You could use the close reading passage with the mystery picture as one station and the writing passage as another. Then just a few more themed stations and you have 100% engagement!
