KS3 English - Activities which Encourage Close Reading

Last updated: 15/11/2011 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

These activities are most effective when worked on by a pair or small group as the discussion if possibilities leads to a closer look at the text.

Cloze

Filling the gap involves the reader in actively constructing meaning. Skills include:

attending to the sense of the whole sentence by reading and rereading.
working out what will fit with the style of the text - eg whether a word has already occurred in the sentence
paying close attention to the meaning of the sentence
choosing a word that fits grammatically.
using one's existing knowledge of the topic
working out what is likely from the rest of the text

Sequencing

Sequencing activities involve reconstructing a text which has been cut into chunks. Skills include:

reading and rereading
paying close attention to the structure of the genre
paying close attention to link words
hunting for the logic or organising principle of the text - eg chronological order
using previous experience and earlier reading.

Text Marking

Text marking includes underlining, annotating or numbering the text to show sequence. Skills may well include:

skimming or scanning to find specific information
differentiating between different categories of information
deciding what is relevant information
finding the main idea(s)
questioning the information presented in the text.

Text Restructuring

Text restructuring involves reading and then remodelling the information in another format. For example, flow charts, diagrams, Venn diagrams, grids, lists, maps, charts, concept maps or rewriting in another genre. Depending on the format, skills used will include: