Definition of Close Reading True close reading does not exist without annotations, collaborative conversations and text dependent questions. Whenever students are doing a close reading they should read with pen in hand annotating the document as a way to keep traces of their thinking. If the text is not difficult or challenging for Students, it does not warrant a close reading and if text is difficult and challenging, students should be engaged in conversations. Close reading has to be coupled with text dependent questions because the questions put the students back into the text where teachers know they will struggle. The questions help the students to understand all the layers of deep meaning in the text. (Curry, Literacy CPS)

Annotation slows down the reader in order to deepen understanding.

**Amundsen School Wide Annotation System System based on symbols to help Amundsen students better understand reading text… O = Circle keywords or phrases that are confusing or unknown to you. ___ = Underline key points / main Ideas ? = Questions that you have during the reading. Be sure to write your question in the margins. ! = Things that surprise you. Briefly note what it was that caught your attention. E = Evidence to answer the Key Question C = Connect text to text / text to self/ text to world