(Student-generated) Close Read

Screencasts: Unlocking the

Meaning of Challenging Texts

CLAS Fall Conference 2015

Morgridge International Reading

Center

Paul Holimonpaulholimon.com

paulholimon@gmail.com

Working definition of close reading:

Close reading is slow, careful

reading and rereading of short

texts or excerpts for the purpose of

deepening understanding, of

unlocking the meaning of

complex ideas or language.

What else/more is it?

Text

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Listening

Puig, E. (2014, May). Using Students' Strengths to Guide Instruction. Lecture presented at CLAS Conference Spring 2014.

Listening

Understanding

Speaking

WritingReadin

g

Writing from SourcesWriting from Sources Professional Development Video

Carol Jago. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2015, from http://www.caroljago.com/Home/Index.html

Let’s meet the kiddos!

HMH CollectionsGrade 6Collection 1“The Ravine”Close Read Screencast

On a scrap piece of paper, write the missing terms that you hear in the screencast.

Original Script, 1 of 3

Original Script, 2 of 3

Original Script, 3 of 3

What are the missing terms?

scary

picture in my mind

tangled

attention grabber

change of scenery

ominous mood

thinking about death

suspense

The Student Process1. Transcribe the original script of the close read screencast. This serves as the model text for your own close read screencast.

2. Your teacher will assign you and a partner an excerpt of the same text that you will “unlock” in the same way that the actors did in the official close read screencast.

3. Figure out the text and write a script of your discussion. Note: this will take at least an hour.

4. Record your discussion using Screencast-o-matic or a similar application.

Screencast-o-matic records whatever you do on your computer screen and the sound in the room via your microphone.

Close Read Screencast "The Ravine" 93-101 JJ

Close Read Screencast "The Ravine" 323-330 LM

Close Read Screencast "The Ravine" 267-274 MN

Here are three samples of the screencasts created by sixth grade students in a Title I school, in which they wrote and delivered a transcript of a close reading of an assigned excerpt of Graham Salisbury’s “The Ravine”:

Listening

Understanding

Speaking

WritingReadin

g

What are the predominant standards involved in this lesson?

How could students’ efforts be evaluated?

(Student-generated) Close Read

Screencasts: Unlocking the

Meaning of Challenging Texts

CLAS Fall Conference 2015

Morgridge International Reading

Center

Paul Holimonpaulholimon.com

paulholimon@gmail.com