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Close reading is a strategy for reading complex text . In Part 1 , the focus is how to do a close reading. The focus in Part 2 is how to annotate with iPads. The focal points of this post are the teacher steps in close reading; how to create text dependent questions for informational text in 6th-12th grades; annotating in Diigo; and creating writing activities to go with close reading. Click here to download as PDF Below are the teacher's steps for creating a close reading lesson. However, the student steps are in the poster shown on the right: Teacher Step 1 : Choose the text Choose a short and difficult text to do a close reading on. It should be at the frustration reading level . Some examples to choose from for informational text are short speeches (or excerpts from a speech); research; paragraphs or chapters from biographies, memoirs, or historical accounts to name a few. Teacher Step 2: Planning Plan and do what you expect your students to do. Decide ...

21st century learning and technology integration are part of the Common Core design. 21st century skills include: CC by 3.0 Tracy Watanabe c ommunication and c ollaboration c reative thinking and innovation c uration : research and informational fluency c ritical thinking, problem solving, and decision making digital c itizenship c omputing skills: using technology to learn, communicate, consume, c ontribute, design, and produce In the introduction of the Common Core , those skills are referenced, and specifically outlined as a key design consideration , and placed in a portrait of a student who is college and career ready. They are also interwoven in the anchor standards , which can be viewed by specific grade levels . Academic conversations Academic conversations are part of 21st century learning and the Common Core Standards. Constructivism in learning, building meaning based on prior understanding, occurs in academic conversations (speaking and listenin...

In Close Read Complex Text, and Annotate with Tech--Part 1 , the focus was how to do a close reading . In Part 2, the focus is how to annotate with iPads , and insights gained from a lesson done with students in first through third grades. iPad apps for annotating Many apps can be used for annotating. I'm listing a few apps that can be used for close reading, and will go into detail on the one I've used the most with students. App Tutorial Links Learnability Cost PaperPort Notes PaperPort Notes Tutorial Tips listed below Easy Free Educreations Educreations Tutorial Tips listed below Easy Free Notability Notability YouTube Tutorial Medium $1.99 Skitch with Evernote Skitch for iPad tutorial by the Edublogger Medium Free Lessons learned through annotating in Educreations On the first day of close reading, it was easy to use Educreations to annotate. For each new page, we'd add a new page to the presentation. We took screen shots to keep a ...

Digital storytelling is an art form conveying a message. It uses images and voice narration to convey emotion with the message, and to ignite empathy from the audience. It incorporates storyboarding and writing a script. It is created with digital tools and published on the Internet. I often think of digital storytelling as something done in first person because it creates that personal connection. Whereas, I think of a digital story as an anecdote or story typed or narrated in third person. Overview Click here to view the cube above on RVLIO. The art of digital storytelling I recently participated in an outstanding webinar by ISTE's Special Interest Group for Digital Storytelling , where Bernajean Porter shared about the " Art and Soul of Digital Storytelling ." After being inspired by the webinar, I created the following page summarizing some of my key take-aways: Click here to download PDF Explanations, prompts, and examples Click here to op...

Students need to be taught how to read complex texts. One of the strategies for learning how is close reading . It slows the reader down to notice and ponder more. It also connects meaning and builds systems of thought . Text complexity with close reading Complex text requires a close reading. So what makes a text complex ? There are three "ingredients" to text complexity: It's important to understand text complexity to build students' literacy skills. As they become more skilled, they will read more complex text on their own. Introduction to close reading Here's an overview of close reading: What does close reading look like in the classroom? Here are some examples of close reading at different grade levels and content areas (or components of it such as annotation): 9th-10th grade -- Thinking Notes: A Strategy to Encourage Close Reading by the Teaching Channel 10th grade, Close Reading with nonfiction 6th grade, Teaching Annotation ...

Today is our last Collaboration Coach Meeting of the school year, and we're celebrating all they've accomplished at their sites. Collaboration Coaching is modeled after the research-based Microsoft Peer Coaching Program , developed by the Peer-Ed Team . The training focuses on coaching and collaboration skills; best practices in lesson design and instruction; and, technology integration and engaging practices. Collaboration Coaching fosters an environment where it is safe to take risks to try innovative practices, to engage students in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. This shift is occurring more rapidly because teachers have ongoing professional development by having someone they trust, a Collaboration Coach, who is just down the hall or right next door. Coaching Chronicles There are six fantastic "Coaching Chronicles" inside this Prezi created by the coaches at each of the schools sharing their "story" of 21st cent...

Digital storytelling is a first person story, where the narrator is digitally sharing his or her story; while a digital story is narrated in third person and shared digitally. Both can include imagery, background music, or motion. They also incorporate storyboarding, writing a script, revising, and publishing (the elements of writing). Benefits Here are some of the many benefits of digital storytelling and digital stories: The 21st century skills and ISTE's NETS applied are critical and creative thinking; written, oral, and digital communication; collaboration; authentic learning; digital fluency; informational fluency; and project management. It is great differentiation for all students including ELL, gifted, and special needs. It increases student engagement in a meaningful and relevant task . It can be used as an authentic assessment. Common Core Standards Many specific content standards ca...