This document provides an overview of a presentation on close reading fiction and nonfiction texts using signposts. It defines signposts as common characteristics noticeable in most books that can help readers comprehend, analyze, and ask questions to deepen understanding. It lists several types of signposts like contrast and contradictions, aha moments, tough questions, and words of the wiser. The presentation instructs teachers to have students notice signposts in texts, quote evidence, and answer anchor questions to facilitate close reading.

1. Based on the works of
Notice & Note by Kylene
Beers and Robert Probst
Where are the signposts?
Fiction and Nonfiction Close Reading

2. Presenters
Lois Barker
Secondary ELA Instructional Coach
lbarker3@houstonisd.org
Amanda Jo Ponder
Secondary ELA Instructional Coach
aponder@houstonisd.org

3. Fiction Vs. Nonfiction• As we watch the following video, take notes on
a sticky note about the difference(s) between
teaching fiction and nonfiction as well as how
those differences impact our teaching.
• After viewing the video, discuss your notes with
your table group, then whole group.

4. "Rigor is not an attribute of a
text but rather a characteristic
of our behavior with that text.”
"Put another way, rigor resides
in the energy and attention
given to the text, not in the text
itself.“

5. What are
signposts?
Signposts are common
characteristics that are
noticeable in the
majority of books.
Stopping to notice the
signposts as a
stopping point to
comprehend, analyze,
and asks questions
will deepen the
readers’ understanding
of the text, allow for
closer reading, and
meaningfulness.

6. Characteristics of a close
reading passage
•Short
•Intense focus
•Meaning extends from the passage to create
understanding in other parts of the text
•Great deal of exploratory discussion
•Read, reread, discuss, reread again

7. anchor
“Noticing the signposts is necessary
but insufficient; the readers also
have to question it and make note
of what they learned from it…the
signposts help them notice it but it is
the question that leads into deeper
thinking.”

8. Anchor Question:
Why would the
character act
(feel) this
way?
• Prediction
• Inference
• Plot
• conflict
The character’s actions or
thoughts clearly contradict
previous patterns or contrast
with patterns the reader would
normally expect.
Contrast &
Contradictions

9. Anchor
Question:
How might
this change
things?
(conflict or theme)
When a character’s sudden
insight or understanding helps
readers understand the plot’s
movement, the development of
the character, or the internal
conflict he faces.
The character says, “I
realized…”, “I suddenly
understood...”, “It came to me
that…”, or “Now I know…”
Aha moment

10. Anchor Question:
What does this
question make
me wonder
about?
(conflict or what will happen
later on in the story)
The main character pauses to
ask of himself or a trusted other
tough questions. Sometimes
appearing as a statement.
Tough question

11. Anchor Question:
What’s the life
lesson and how
might it affect
the character?
• Prediction
• Inference
• Plot
• conflict
A scene in which a wiser and
often older character offers a
life lesson of some sort to the
protagonist.
Words of the
wiser

12. :
Anchor Question:
Why might
the author
bring this up
again and
again?
(conflict or foreshadow)
An image, word, or situation that is
repeated. Repetition might provide
information about a character,
conflict, setting, or theme.
Again & again

13. Anchor Question:
Why might this
memory be
important?
(theme, conflict, or
foreshadow)
A scene that interrupts the flow
of the story and reveals
something important about a
character, plot, or theme.
Memory moment

14. Holiday randomize

15. Group instructions
1. Choose a person to read the passage aloud
2. Access the Anchor Chart assignment on the HUB in
the tree on the left.
•Write the signpost on the chart paper
•Quote and/or illustrate your text evidence
•Respond to the anchor question associated with
that signpost

17. helps prevent
Alzheimer’s
strengthens
your vision

18. England Iceland
People in ______read more than any other
country.

19. 68% 30%
Reading reduces stress by _________.

20. 2,000 7,000
In 2007 sloppy doctor handwriting killed how
many patients annually?

21. 4 days 12 days
For every book and written report that is read
by a Brazilian prisoner will reduce his or her
sentence by?

22. Charlie Hugo
The popular “Where’s Waldo?” books
also go by ___________ in Sweden.

23. 10 miles 35 miles
The average no. 2 pencil can draw a
line _________ long.

24. Stem partner“The role of the reader of
nonfiction texts is to be active,
to challenge the text, and to
invite the text to challenge him.”
With your partner, complete the following stem:
One way a student can challenge a text is
_______________.. .

25. Stance in nonfiction
What surprised me? What did the author think I
already knew?
What challenged, changed,
or confirmed what I knew?
I was shocked about…
I was surprised when…
I never thought…
I could not believe…
Really?
I did not know…
I was confused by...
The author assumed…
The author thought I knew…
At first I thought but…
I had to rethink…
My understanding changed
when…
I was right/wrong about…

26. Anchor Question:
What is the
difference and
why does it
matter?
(main idea, compare & contrast, understand
author’s purpose, infer, make a generalization, and
cause and effect)
When the author shows you a
difference between what you
know and what is happening in
the text or a difference between
two or more things in the text.
Contrast &
contradictions

27. Anchor Question:
Why did the
author say it
like that?
((author’s purpose or point of view, or
exaggeration to make you think a
certain way)
When the author uses language
that leaves no doubt,
exaggerates, or pushes to the
limit.
Extreme or absolute
language

28. :
Anchor Question:
Why did the
author use
those numbers
or amounts?
(come to a conclusion, make a
comparison, see the details,
infer, find facts, or recognize
evidence)
When the author uses specific
numbers, number words, and
amounts.
Numbers & stats

29. Anchor Question:
Why did the
author quote
or cite this
person?
(Author’s point of view,
purpose, bias, or conclusions.
Or these words will give a
perspective, facts or opinions,
or generalizations)
When the author quoted a Voice of
Authority, a Personal Perspective, or
cited Others’ Words.
Quoted words

30. Anchor Question:
Do I know this word
from someplace
else?
OR Does this word
seem like technical
talk for experts for
this topic?
OR Can I find clues in
the sentence to help
me understand the
word?
(the answers willhelp you decide should you look the word up or keep reading for
more information)
When the author uses a word or phrase
you don’t know.
Word gaps

31. Exit Ticket:
on the HUB or found at:
https://todaysmeet.com/NoticeandNote
Respond to the following question:
What insight have you received from today’s learning?

32. THANKS!