Complete close reading and annotation unit with fiction and nonfiction practice

**August 2020 Update: This unit is now digital! I created a fiction and nonfiction workbook that is optimized for digital learning. A Google Slides version is included that can be downloaded and used as a PowerPoint as well (directions included).

**August 2019 Update: This unit now includes two passages that can be used for nonfiction annotation (complete with an answer key). This is perfect for AP Language and Composition as well as any nonfiction annotation practice.

Close reading is a lifelong skill, not a strategy. That can make it very challenging to teach. Thankfully, there are strategies we can use to improve students’ close reading skills. After years of research, I created this close reading and annotation mini-unit to teach students to apply their natural reading strategies for academic purposes. No more mindless highlighting, circling, and underlining!

This mini-unit will teach students to focus their close reading and annotate with purpose making their reading efficient and effective! It will take approximately 3 to 4 45-minute periods to complete. A suggested lesson guided is included.

This resource includes:

• "Think About Your Habits" Activity
• Conversation Starter Cards
• "Understand Close Reading" Activity
• "Identify the Purpose" Activity
• Reading Scenario Task Cards
• Find Your Active Reading Format Activity
• Reading Journal Example
• Annotated Poem Example
• Annotated Essay Example
• Annotated Speech Example
• Real-world connections
• Print in gray scale or color
• Close Reading Assignment Assessment*
• Editable PowerPoint assessment rubric
• Suggested answer key
• Teacher guide

*Please note the assessment rubric is the only editable component of this mini-unit.

You may also like my Scholarly Research Unit and my TALK to the Text Guided Annotation Bookmarks.