Do Now:Quick Write

• Get out your journal• Date the entry and add it to your Table of

Contents

• What would you think if a friend, who normally sits with you at lunch, came in and sat in the far corner of the cafeteria?

Notice & NoteStrategies for Close Reading

Reading literary texts with deeper understanding.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• Like that friend who surprisingly sits in the corner of the cafeteria, an author can use Contrasts & Contradictions to show us how a character is changing.

• Think about Hermione in Harry Pottero She always has her homework done AND she likes

doing it!o What would you think if one day Hermione came to

class and didn’t have her homework done?

Contrasts & Contradictions

• When an author shows us something that doesn’t fit with what we expect, when they present us with a contrast or a contradiction, then we want to pause and ask ourselves one question:

Why would the character act this way?

• Be on the lookout for those Contrasts & Contradictions – when you notice them, stop and ask that question. You will learn more about the character, and sometimes more about the problems he/she faces. You might even get some insight into the theme of the story.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• Let’s read a story about a boy who tries to steal a purse from a woman.

• Follow along as I read it to you• We will be STOPPING throughout the story to

note any Contrasts or Contradictions we notice

• “Thank You Ma’m” by Langston Hughes

Contrasts & Contradictions

• Knowing that I am looking for contrasts and contradictions, when I find one I need to pause and ask myself "Why would a character act this way?"

WHOA! STOP• If someone tried stealing something from me, this

would not be how I'd handle it. In fact I'd say, most people wouldn't do this.

• They'd press charges and have the police involved, but this woman is acting in a way that CONTRASTS what I'd expect. This is a PERFECT place to ask WHY?

Contrasts & Contradictions

Wait. What? STOP!• Again I am seeing a sharp CONTRAST in how I'd

handle this situation. If it were me, I'd have bolted right then and there! Roger seems to have a different idea, but earlier he just wanted to be let loose. What is the question we want to ask at this point?

• WHY DID THE CHARACTER ACT THIS WAY?o Please turn and share your thoughts with your elbow

partner.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• As I read into this next section of the text, I want you to notice something that looks like a CONTRAST or CONTRADICTION to you - something the character(s) does that surprises you.

• Then with your pencil, put a small "C&C" in the margin.

• You'll be given a chance to come back to this.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• I think this is a great place to STOP as I've seen several "C&C"s and I am sure you have too.

• Look over your "C&C" spots and jot down some ideas about what each character has just done by answering the ANCHOR question: Why would the character act this way?

• Once you have some answers written down, please turn and share with your partner.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• An INFERENCE is an idea that you've had that's based on what you've read and what you already know.

• Did anyone make any good inferences about how the character is acting/thinking?

• As we read on, we'll see which inferences are supported and which are inaccurate.

• Continue seeking out "C&C"s and mark them on your paper as I read.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• Now that we've finished "Thank You Ma'm", I'd like you to look back at your "C&C"s that you marked on the text.

• Decide on the one Contrast or Contradiction that you find MOST INTERESTING and answer the ANCHOR question (what is it?) in your RRJ.

• Share your response with your elbow partner.

Contrasts & Contradictions

• So we've just learned one text clue that authors give us called _____?_____ which allows us to better understand the character through his or her actions/thoughts.

• Answering the anchor question: ________?_________ provides us opportunities to dig deeper into the text.

• This can be called "CLOSE READING".