Close reading conversation cards

1. Notice and Note
Conversation Cards
Created by: The Literacy Café
Based on the book Notice and Note by
Kylene Beers & Robert E. Probst

2. Notice and Note Conversation Cards
Notice and Note conversation cards are perfect for
assisting students individually or in small groups.
These cards will assist students in initiating and
maintaining conversation related to the text.
Directions for use:
1. Print out conversation cards. One set per group
or one set per individual. That will depend on
how your classroom is arranged.
2. Each set of cards can be laminated and held
together using a metal book ring.
3. Model how to use the cards to support Notice and
Note conversation. Students will want to take
notes as they are reading their text in order to
reference the signposts they noticed in their
reading.
4. Cards are used to provide prompts for students to
use during small group conversations as well as
Book Talks.
5. Once students are comfortable using this tool, it
can be used throughout the school year with
various books.

3. Contrasts and Contradictions
When authors show us something that does not fit with what we expect, they
present us with a contrast and contradiction. It is a sharp contrast between what we
would expect and what we observe the character doing.
Aha Moment
When a character finally understands or figures something out. This may change the
character’s ideas, decisions or the way they feel.
• Why would a character act this way?
• When the character _____ did _____, it surprised me because
_______________.
• Which character do you think changed the most?
• I noticed a contrast when the character did ________________
.
• I stopped on page ___ because I noticed ____________.
• Which part was the most surprising to you?
• I noticed that the character figured out ____. This is an Aha
Moment.
• On page ____, the main character said the phrase
____________. This told me it was an Aha Moment.
• I noticed an Aha Moment scene on page ____.
• I was surprised when I read the Aha Moment on page ____. I
think the character learned ___________________________.
(Key Phrases include: I realized, I suddenly understood, It came to me when,
It occurred to me, Now I know)

4. Tough Questions
A point when the main character asks himself or a trusted other a tough question.
Often these questions that the character raises reveal his or her inner struggles.
Words of the Wiser
When a wiser and often older character offers a life lesson.
• On page, _____, I noticed the character said, “I wonder
what I should do about….”
• When ______ asked ______ it was an example of a tough
question.
• I found a tough question on page ____. Did anyone else
find this one?
• This phrase on page ____ signaled a tough question
moment for me.
• When the main character ________ was talking to ______ I
noticed a life lesson being discussed.
• What do you think the main character was thinking during that
words of the wiser scene?
• When the main character went off with ___________ for a
serious conversation on page _____ I knew this was going to be
a words of the wiser moment.
• I wondered if the author was trying to tell the reader with the
Words of the Wiser moment on page _______.

5. Again and Again
An image, word, event or situation that is repeated over a portion of the novel.
Memory Moment
When the author interrupts the action to show the character remembering something
important. It is a recollection by a character that interrupts the forward progress of the
story.
• I noticed that the character is remembering something
that happened in the past. I wonder why this is
important?
• I noticed ________________ on page _____, I think this is
a memory moment.
• The main character appeared to have a Memory Moment
on page _____.
• I stopped on page ___ because I noticed ____________.
• I noticed the word ______ is repeated over and over again.
• I noticed the image of ______ is repeated over and over
again.
• I think the author is trying to tell us ____________ by having
this again and again situation.
• Did you see that _______ keeps repeating? What do you think
that means?
• I stopped on page ___ because I noticed ____________.

6. Thank you for downloading our product.
We hope you are satisfied and find it
useful.
Please contact us if you have any
questions, comments or concerns. We
are open to feedback and suggestions.
Remember to comment and rate this
product so that we may continue to
improve and provide quality products.
Material is generated using the methods
and strategies in the following resources:
Notice and Note Strategies for Close
Reading
By Kylene Beers & Robert E. Probst
Graphics Provided By:
http://www.sonyadehartdesign.com
TPT Store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
Store/The-Literacy-Cafe