Close Reading
Guide children to read and re-read texts for different purposes. Start with the basics: What is the gist of the story? What is happening? Who are the characters? Then, start to ask questions about the choices the author or illustrator made. What vocabulary did they choose? What is the structure of the text? From whose point of view is the story told? Finally, talk about the deeper ideas of the story. What was the author really trying to communicate? Is there a lesson to learn? An action to take?
Why This Matters
We live in a fast-paced world. It's hard to remember to slow down. Allowing children to revisit stories gives them a chance to develop a familiarity with a story. Reading for different purposes allows children to deepen their understanding, gain different perspectives, and notice things they hadn't before. They stay engaged, and most important, they stay present. Everyone wants to be seen and heard, even a story. Practice with a book and children will have an easier time transferring this skill to getting to know their peers.