The Three Levels of Reading

Using Concentric Circles for Deeper Layers of Meaning Essential Question: How do we use close reading strategies to discover multiple layers of meaning in our reading? What do we notice when we do?

Students find meaning directly in the text Students find meaning directly in the text. As you read, you mentally answer the questions who, what, when, and where. First Layer

Second Layer Readers draw inferences from what is in the text. You also analyze what you read by: interpreting, classifying, comparing, contrasting, and finding patterns. Second Layer

You will move beyond the text to connect to universal meaning You will move beyond the text to connect to universal meaning. As you read, you relate the messages of the text to events in your world and your life. Third Layer

Three Concentric Circles

Instructions for Creating Concentric Circles Graphic Across the top of the paper, write the title of the work and the author’s name. Draw three large concentric circles on the paper (one circle inside another circle inside a larger circle).

First Level of Reading For the innermost circle, concentrate on the concrete level of meaning— reading on the line. Write the most significant word from the book. Partner 1: Quote the entire sentence in which the word appears—or enough of the sentence to reveal the word’s use in context. Document the source of the quotation in parentheses. Partner 1: Write multiple dictionary definitions of the word (denotation). Partner 2: Explain why the word is important to the meaning of the work by placing it in the context of the narrative. (Explain what is literally happening in the text when the word is used.)

Second Level of Reading In the middle circle, concentrate on the abstract level of meaning—reading between the lines. Draw four images that relate to the assigned part of the reading. Write an explanation of the link between each image and the word you have written in the innermost circle. Split this work evenly!

Third Level of Reading In the outer circle, concentrate on the thematic level of meaning—reading beyond the lines. Each person writes one thematic statement drawn from the significant word written in the innermost circle and the images drawn in the middle circle. These should be universal thematic statements and should not refer directly to the text.