Saturday, March 23, 2013

Getting to the Core: Annotating Text


On Thursday and Friday, I presented at the Superintendent’s Conference in Tinley Park, IL on Getting Your Daily Dose of the CCSS.  It was very exciting but I'm glad it's over.  I need to learn how to cut down on the prep time!  Over the next six posts, I will share the key resources from my presentation on the CCSS key shifts for ELA/Literacy instruction. 

The CCSS call for close reading and “reading with a pencil.”  Annotating, or marking up, text will help students develop confidence analyzing text.  This strategy can be applied in all content areas. Model the method with a short passage or article while students are acquiring the skill of annotation. Have students work in groups and gradually increase the text complexity of the texts you present while applying the gradual release of responsibility.  Eventually, students should be able to transfer the process to appropriate, self-selected texts.  To make this a formative assessment, score the annotated text.  

There is no right or wrong way to annotate a book.  Pick up a pencil, a pen or a post-it.  Write directly on the text (if it’s your property or a copy of a selection) or use post-its to mark your pages and thoughts.  Read everything at least twice.  The first time read quickly to get a sense of what the text is about.  Subsequent re-readings should  include close reading and annotating text.   

Begin to annotate:

A.      Circle, underline, or stick on a post-it for important ideas.
B.      Mark repetitions or rhetorical signals.
C.      Circle confusing words or phrases. 
D.      Note passages that seem inconsistent.
E.       Write questions where you made annotations.

Use your margin to decode the text, to help remind yourself what the author is saying 
and mark your thoughts as you read.   Marking in the margins involves the reader in:
  • Writing brief summaries
  • Listing or numbering multiple ideas
  • Sketching pictures and charts to explain difficult concepts
  • Predicting
  • Noting puzzling or confusing ideas that need clarification
  • Defining words to help remember them

    Check out my annotation bookmark on TPT!

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