In this blog post, we are diving into an essential reading comprehension strategy called close reading. This method is widely recognized in teacher certification exams, including the Praxis Elementary Education Reading section, the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam, and the Foundations of Reading exam.
Understanding Close Reading
Close reading is a structured approach to reading comprehension that involves multiple readings of a text, each with a distinct purpose. Students develop a deeper understanding of a passage by analyzing it from different perspectives. The process follows a progression of reading skills, beginning with phonics and fluency before moving into vocabulary development and comprehension.
Comprehension is a high-level cognitive process that requires critical thinking, visualization, and the ability to make connections. Close reading supports these skills by encouraging students to read a text multiple times while focusing on different elements each time.
Steps of Close Reading
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First Read: General Understanding
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The teacher may read aloud to model fluency and prosody.
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Students listen and follow along to grasp the overall meaning.
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Think-aloud strategies can be used to model metacognitive skills.
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Second Read: Vocabulary and Details
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The focus shifts to key vocabulary, phrases, and textual details.
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Teachers may highlight difficult words and encourage context clue strategies.
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Annotation strategies can be introduced to mark significant elements.
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Third Read: Analysis and Critical Thinking
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Students engage in literature circles or independent analysis.
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Discussions center around themes, author’s purpose, tone, and textual evidence.
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Higher-order thinking skills such as evaluating and synthesizing are applied.
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Close reading can be adapted for different subjects. In literature, students might analyze character development and figurative language, while in science, they might focus on technical vocabulary and process descriptions.
Close Reading and Teacher Certification Exams
Close reading is frequently tested in teacher certification exams. Exam questions often assess understanding of this strategy by presenting scenarios where a teacher models annotation, guides students through multiple readings, or encourages textual analysis. Understanding how close reading differs from other strategies such as reciprocal teaching, self-monitoring, and think-alouds is crucial for answering test questions correctly.
Strategies to Recognize Close Reading on Exams
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Look for keywords such as multiple readings, annotation, textual analysis, comprehension, and guiding questions.
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Eliminate answer choices related to phonics (decoding) and fluency (reading rate).
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Consider the Bloom’s Taxonomy hierarchy—close reading aligns with higher-order thinking skills such as analyzing and evaluating.
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Be cautious of distractors—while collaboration and fluency strategies are valuable, they do not define close reading.
Resources for Further Study
For those preparing for teacher certification exams, comprehensive resources are available:
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Foundations of Reading Test Study Guide and Online Course – Covers essential strategies, including close reading.
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Teaching Reading (5205 & 5206) Study Guide , Online Course and Audio Course
Close reading is a powerful tool for developing strong readers and is an essential strategy for any educator. Understanding its principles and applications will not only help in passing teacher certification exams but also in fostering deeper reading comprehension in students.
