How To Teach Close Reading to First and Second Grade Students
First and second graders are ready to start testing their reading comprehension skills.Close reading, which is part of the Common Core State Standard, can help students understand deeper meaning in a text and notice patterns and vocabulary words.It is possible to get your class started on close reading with a simple lesson plan and the right text.
Step 1: There is a fun, engaging picture book.
A book with pictures will be appreciated by first and second graders.Try to pick a text that they can relate to, like dealing with homework or not wanting to do chores.Everyone in class can relate to a story with both male and female characters.
Step 2: Start with short text messages.
It can be difficult for younger children to read close to each other.If you want to read quickly and answer questions, you should stick to a book that is no longer than 10 pages.The text of the story should be no more than 1 to 2 pages if you put it all together.
Step 3: Ask a few questions about the text.
Gaining a deeper understanding of the story is what close reading is all about.Focus on the characters, the overall message, and any important vocab words that you can pick out.Write around 5 questions for your class at the end of the book.Good questions include: Who are the main characters in this story?
Step 4: Explain why you use it.
Explaining why you are teaching close reading helps students understand it more quickly.Explain to your students that the point of close reading is to get a deeper understanding of the story and what the author is trying to say.Let them know that when they finish reading, they will have more to say about the story.We are going to think about the characters and the storyline, and then we will answer some questions at the end of the book.
Step 5: The class can read the text.
You can try your first close reading with a group.You can either read the text in its entirety or point out important characters and words as you go along.Students can follow along with you if you give them copies of the story.
Step 6: Ask questions about the text.
The questions you ask will focus your class on what they need.Focus on attention to detail, main characters, and even vocabulary words.An easy question to ask is "What's the problem?" Most main characters face some kind of issue that they have to fix or solve.What happened in the story is a good question to ask.
Step 7: Students should be encouraged to highlight parts.
Ask them to mark up parts of the story that might answer the questions you asked in the beginning.If you don't have enough copies of the text, your students can share it in small groups.You could ask the class, "Who is the main character?", and they would circle words related to the question.
Step 8: Ask the class questions about the text.
Help your students answer the questions out loud by giving them example questions.If they are having trouble, it is a good idea to flip the page in the story to see if they can answer the question.Try to ask about the cover of the book.You should point out the main character and any side characters to your students.After one reading, your kids might not know all the answers to your questions.Going over things multiple times is what close reading is about.If you need to, you can go back and read a page or two.
Step 9: The students should get the text out to them.
Group of 4 or 5 students are small enough to handle close reading.If you have students who still struggle with reading, you can pair them with the strong readers in the class.
Step 10: Students should be encouraged to read the text again.
It is okay to read slowly if you tell them to think about the questions you asked.Ask them to notice any details about the characters in the story.
Step 11: Ask the class questions.
They should be the same, but mix it up a little.Ask the students to summarize what they just read.They can ask you questions like, "Why did the main character do what he did?" and "How did he convince his mom to let him play?"
Step 12: The answers to the questions should be written by your students.
First and second graders are usually prepared to write down their answers.If you think your kids are ready, tell them to write down their answers on a piece of paper.When they are half way through first grade, most kids are ready to write down answers.
Step 13: You can connect the text to other readings.
See if your students can find similarities.If you read a story last week about a character who didn't want to go to school, you might connect it to the story about another character.You might ask, "Do you think this story was similar to the one we read last week?"