Saturday, January 21, 2017

The Effectiveness Of 2nd Grade Close Reading Activities

By Frank Murray


Literature tends to be complicated at first glance. To better understand the manner in which words are used certain strategies should be put to use. 2nd grade close reading activities are methods aimed at assisting students to understand different passages. In order to grasp this concept students need to work closely with their teachers.

Teachers should not be there throughout the whole way. Their purpose is to offer a little guidance and leave the rest of the heavy lifting to those being taught. Students who understand the concept being taught will have the concept on their fingertips. Proper understanding does not come easy for everyone. Students need to be patient with themselves and give their best.

Ensure that you are a close reader yourself. While teaching, it is important that you understand the text forwards and backwards. Each time that you get to ask a question or raise an issue, you will know ways to help your students find textual evidence in the text. Demonstrating close reading through class discussion is as essential as direct instruction in learning.

The purpose of such skills is to help students read increasingly complex texts over time. While choosing texts to use with the students, think about your aim behind every text. Look for comprehensions that raise authentic questions and could be interpreted differently based on the knowledge of a learner. Ensure that you occasionally assign stretch texts, which are meant to be challenging for a student to read independently, and may require some days of study.

It is important to first read through and have a general idea of the text. This is not enough when it comes to proper understanding. Individuals should then read through once more and in some cases twice. This helps when they have been asked to look for something specific. This could be the main message that the writer is trying to pass across and the general theme used.

Asking questions is also quite helpful to test what people have understood. The students will show that they have understood by recalling a specific excerpt from what they have read. Students may have previously read something similar to what is before them. They should be allowed to speak on this if need be. If there is no proper comprehension as identified through the question session, improvements will be necessary.

Discussions can be held during the session as reading goes on. Information about phrases that stand out in the read can be stated as their meanings are expounded on. Different literary tools put to use can also be noted. All this is meant to encourage individuals to think and share what they have in mind.

When you start letting questions and ideas of the students take the lead, you will find that your class is more invested in reading. You will play the role of keeping them grounded to the process of learning. As you probe into the questions of your students, you will learn more about where your students are and provide them with opportunities to deeply engage with the text. Ultimately, you will be learning everything you can from the students.




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