Using Post-it® Notes to Teach Close Reading & Annotating
Materials:
- Post-it® Super Sticky Mini Easel Pad
- Post-it® Flags
- Post-it® Super Sticky Notes
Teaching students how to become effective readers can be a challenge. Once we get past the phonics and word-reading, we need to figure out how to get students to really understand and think critically about the text they are reading. Teaching close reading means teaching students to read and interpret a text slowly and with attention to detail. Teaching close reading and annotating can help build some of those comprehension strategies that students will take with them for years to come!
Annotating is when readers interact with a text (e.g., make notes, highlight, ask questions) to improve their understanding. By having students go back into a text they have already read and flag important details, they will be able to think more critically about the writing.
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Lesson: Annotating a Text
This lesson is perfect for Grades 4-5 in small groups but can be adapted to suit a whole-class lesson or younger students as well.
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Teacher Prep:
Create an anchor chart that outlines what text annotation is and the colour-coding system the students will use. Use Post-it® Super Sticky Mini Easel Pad paper to create the chart!
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Small Group Mini-Lesson:
Choose a short story to read with your group. Explain to them that you will be teaching them how to annotate a text today using Post-it® Super Sticky Notes and Post-it® Flags.
Show the students the anchor chart and read through it.
Read through the short story with the students, modelling annotation first. As you read, stop and say what you’re thinking out loud so that students understand. For example, when you read an important fact or detail - take out a pink Post-it® Flag and mark the line on the page. Have students do the same in their copy of the story (if applicable).
When you come across a point in the story where a connection could be made, stop and ask students if they have any ideas. When they answer, take a yellow Post-it® Super Sticky Note, write down the connection and mark the spot! Continue to read as a group until you have modelled each of the different colours. Instruct students to use the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes when they need to add ideas to the annotation.
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Student Practice
Once you have taught the concept, give students Post-it® Flags and Post-it® Super Sticky Notes and have them try and annotate a new text. You can have students work in pairs or independently while providing support and re-teaching to those that need it.
