Same Reading › Comprehension › Annotating and close reading
What is close reading?
Close reading means reading a short passage several times, each time for a different purpose, while marking it up. Kids underline the main idea, circle new words, and write question marks or notes in the margin. Each read goes a little deeper.
- Annotation symbols mark what you notice.
- Several reads: what it says, how it works, what it means.
- The marks become notes for answering questions later.
Why schools teach it
Hard texts need more than one read
Upper-grade texts are dense. Close reading teaches kids to slow down and return to the text: first for the gist, then for details and word choice, then for the big ideas. It builds the habit of answering questions from the text itself (RI.3.1, RI.4.1).
Annotating keeps kids active. A marked-up passage shows what a child noticed and what confused them.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What is this mostly about after one read?
Read 1: the gistCircle a word you're not sure of. What might it mean?
Read 2: detailsWhat surprised you? Put a ! there.
What question would you ask the author?
Read 3: deeper thinking
Skip this
- Highlighting everything.If everything is marked, nothing stands out.
- One fast read.The point is rereading with a new purpose.
- Annotating long chapters.Close reading is for short passages: a page or less.
See it in action
Three reads of one paragraph
Read 1: What is it about? Underline the main idea
Read 2: Circle new words and figure them out
Read 3: Mark a ! for surprises and a ? for questions, then talk about them
Ask your child's teacher which symbols the class uses, and use the same ones.
Free practice sheet
Make a close reading sheet
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Reading Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every reading method in one printable book (107 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $9 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
Teacher? This method has a classroom pack on TeachersPayTeachers: an anchor chart, a parent letter and practice sheets with answer keys, $4. See the pack
Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
Which symbols are common?
Underline for main ideas, circle for new words, ? for questions, ! for surprises, and a star for important ideas.
Can kids annotate library books?
Not in the book. Sticky notes work, or a printed copy.
How long does close reading take?
Twenty to thirty minutes for one short passage in class.
Is this just for reading class?
It's used for science and social studies texts too.