“Just as rigor does not reside in the barbell but in the act of lifting it, rigor in reading is not an attribute of a text but rather of a reader’s behavior-engaged, observant, responsive, questioning, analytical. The close reading strategies in Notice and Note will help you cultivate those critical reading habits that will make your students more attentive, thoughtful, independent readers.”
-Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst

After surveying over 2000 teachers, Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst identified the most popular books taught in grades 4-12. Through readings and re-readings of these novels, they looked for elements that crossed between them and passed through different genres. These common threads collected were many but then eventually whittled down to six. Beer and Probst called these six “Signposts.” These six Signposts: Contrasts and Contradictions, Aha Moments, Tough Questions, Words to the Wiser, Again and Again, and Memory Moments can be used to help students build a framework for understanding literature. Through the rigorous questioning and wondering drawn from these Signposts, students will comprehend, discuss and debate literature at a higher level.

The book explains Beer’s and Probst’s research, provides a detailed overview of each Signpost, and models lessons of how to teach each one. This course will provide practical, informative, and invaluable lessons and strategies for close readings.

Through reading and research, educators taking this course will explore how to teach, implement close reading strategies, and develop reading lessons. Educators will also investigate special topics and integrate new learning into their teaching environment.

This course is equivalent to 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours. It is a graduate-level course intended for K-12 educators who have completed a bachelor’s degree. It is recommended that you receive board or district approval before registering with TPAI.

See reviews of the book at Amazon.com.

*You are responsible for purchasing your own course book.