Reading Like a

Detective

NC DPIEnglish Language Arts

New ELA Resource: 40 Ways to Read Like a Detective: Supporting Text-Centered Instruction

Text-centered instruction is a fundamental practice when teaching the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in English Language Arts. This resource is a practical tool exploring 40 ways to return students to the text to write, find evidence, read deeply, and become strong independent readers. Each research-based strategy is accompanied by a description, suggested instructional activity, and resources.

Main References

• 40 Things to Do with a Text, by Braham and Gaughan

• Teaching Students to Read Like Detectives, by Fisher, Frey, and Lapp

• Making Thinking Visible, by Ritchhart, Church, and Morrison

• Notice and Note, by Beers and Probst• The Art of Slow Reading, by Newkirk

Text Impressions

1. Write a speech using all the words

listed.

2. Share your writing with a partner.

3. Share out.

4. Read the original text silently and

annotate as you read. (As you read,

make comparisons to your initial

predictions)

humility honor transcends dreams presence destiny sacrifice accomplices naive neutrality jeopardy

Sentence-Phrase-Word

A sentence that captures the central idea

A phrase that uses powerful language

A word the author uses that they found effective

I Saw(Evidence: I saw / heard /

read in the text…)

I Thought(Interpretation: I infer / I conclude / I thought…)

Zoom InThoughts?

1. What new things do you see?

2. How does this change your hypothesis or interpretation?

3. Now, what are you wondering about that is not observable in the text or image?

4. What is Rockwell’s opinion of Lincoln. Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Text 1 Text 2

Similarities

UniqueCharacteristics/Features

Side by Side

Discuss: Are there things

that the writer can accomplish with words that the artist cannot accomplish with paints, and vice versa?

How does this change your hypothesis or interpretation? Explain.

Culminating Activity

Write a summary comparing and contrasting the ways in which the authors characterized Lincoln, paying close attention to HOW they accomplished what they set out to do. Cite evidence.

40 Ways to Read Like a Detective

LiveBinder Resources: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/297779

Click on the tab labeled, 40 Ways to Read This will give you access to all the strategies

How to Order

Title: 40 Ways to Read Like a Detective: Supporting Text-CenteredInstructionItem #: CM194Cost: $8.00

To Order Contact NC DPI’s Publications Sales Office:919-807-34701-800-663-1250 (inside NC only)Email publications@dpi.nc.gov.