Close Reading of Informational Texts Assessment-Driven Instruction in Grades 3-8

This essential book provides a roadmap for instruction and assessment of close reading skills in grades 38. To engage deeply with informational texts-a key requirement of the Common Core standards-students need to determine what details are important, how they fit together to convey a central idea, and how to synthesize information from multiple sources. They also need to understand the unique demands of different text features and structures. Presenting effective instructional strategies that teachers can tailor to their own classrooms, the book includes lesson plans, vignettes, and examples of student work, plus a Study Guide with professional learning activities and discussion questions.

Sunday Cummins, PhD, is a literacy consultant and facilitator with the New Schools Project at the Erikson Institute in Chicago. Formerly she was Assistant Professor in the Reading and Language Department at National Louis University; she also worked in the public schools for 10 years as a teacher and literacy coach. Dr. Cummins shares her work on teaching with informational texts by presenting at state, national, and international conferences. Her website is www.Sunday-Cummins.com.

Foreword, Camille Blachowicz Introduction: Why Teach Close Reading of Informational Texts? 1. What Does "Close Reading" Mean? 2. An Assessment-Driven, Structured Approach to Teaching 3. Introducing Synthesis with Interactive Read-Alouds 4. Understanding the Features of a Text 5. Strategic Previewing of a Text to Set a Purpose 6. Self-Monitoring While Reading Informational Texts 7. Determining Importance in a Text 8. Determining Importance and Synthesis across Texts Closing Thoughts Appendix: Study Guide