top of page
Writer's pictureLauren Cunningham
Apr 17, 20231 min read

Analyzing Texts through Close Reading for Deeper Understanding

Updated: Apr 25, 2023


Objective:


This learning activity aims to enhance teachers' skills in analyzing texts to develop a deeper understanding of its structure, meaning, and impact. Through this activity, teachers will learn how to identify key elements in a text, examine the author's purpose and perspective, and analyze the language and tone used.


Approximate Time of Completion: 60-90 minutes


Introduction: As teachers, one of our primary responsibilities is to help students understand and analyze various types of texts. To do this effectively, we need to have a solid understanding of the text ourselves. This learning activity will help you develop your skills in analyzing texts and prepare you to help your students do the same.


Activity Steps:


Step 1: Watch the following videos on close reading for analyzing texts (15 minutes)


Step 2: Read “The Gettysburg Address” and look at the close reading questions designed for analysis. Consider how the questions may help students uncover a deeper meaning of the text. (15 minutes)


Step 3: Analyze the following poem by Langston Hughes using the close reading strategies discussed in the article. Create three close reading questions for this text to help you analyze. (30 minutes)


Reflection Prompt:

How has this activity helped you develop your skills in analyzing texts? What specific strategies and techniques did you learn from this activity that you can apply in your classroom instruction? How might you modify this activity to meet the needs of different learners in your classroom?


Feedback:

Please click the link below to help us improve this activity!





17 views0 comments

Comments

bottom of page