Active Reading and Annotation Keep these ideas in mind as you read each text that you come across.

Active Reading In a baseball game, who is more important, the pitcher or the catcher? What would the repercussions be in a baseball game if there were no catcher?

Active Reading How do you take an active role in reading? Question what’s coming next Question the author’s delivery Consider the questions the writer has left unanswered. Provide feedback that challenges the writer’s ideas.

Annotation Annotations may include predictions, opinions, reflections, connections, and—most important for Socratic circles—questions.

In Other Words… Paraphrase: Define Question Connect

Paraphrase: Re-write each stanza in your own words. Pretend you were trying to explain what the song was saying to someone else. Underline key phrases. Note word patterns and repetitions or anything that strikes you as confusing or important.

Define Circle any vocabulary words you are unfamiliar with or would have trouble explaining to others. Look up the meaning of those words. Try to write the definition in your own words.

Question Ask open-ended questions Your questions should make you think on a higher level. Example: What do you think motivated the poet or songwriter to write this poem or song? Non-example: Do you like this song?

Connect Make “real life” connections. How does this apply to my life or to the lives of those close to me? Have I ever experienced these thoughts, feelings, or experiences? How can I relate this to the world around me?

The End