Advanced Proficiency: Enhance sophisticated reading skills by teaching students to create layered annotations. First, ask students to mark initial reactions and questions using standard symbols. Then invite them to add analytical comments using academic vocabulary (e.g., “The author’s evidence suggests…” or ”This detail contradicts…”). Finally, invite students to write summary notes synthesizing their annotations. For younger students, focus on clear, simple analytical comments with basic academic terms. For older students, encourage more complex annotations that analyze the author’s craft, make connections across texts, and evaluate arguments. During discussions, encourage students to reference specific annotations to support their analysis, using precise academic language to explain their thinking process.
