Have you ever scribbled notes in the margins of a book, like “The Catcher in the Rye,” to remember your thoughts or questions? Even if you had to write lightly so only you could see it, this process, called annotating, is a great way to think deeply about what you’re reading. It helps you engage with the text and understand it better.
Actively Learn is a tool that makes close reading and critical thinking easier and more interactive. You can use it on any device, whether it’s a laptop or a mobile phone. With Actively Learn, you can read books that are in the public domain, explore articles from the internet, or even upload your own documents. As you read, you can annotate the text, making the learning experience more personal and meaningful.
Many of the texts available on Actively Learn come with “layers.” These layers include questions and multimedia content that align with Common Core standards, making the reading experience more engaging. You can also assign texts to groups of students, allowing them to read, annotate, and discuss the material together. This interaction helps deepen their understanding of the text.
Imagine using Actively Learn to share documents with your entire class during a lesson, or having students work in small groups to analyze shorter texts, like poems. Students can add their own questions and ideas, sparking discussions and interactions. As a teacher, you can track their progress, review their notes, and provide feedback in real-time. This means you can support your students continuously, without needing to spend a lot of class time on individual meetings.
If you’re interested in similar tools that promote critical thinking and support close reading, consider checking out Newsela, Curriculet, and Subtext. These tools, like Actively Learn, help students take a more personalized approach to reading, encouraging them to become lifelong readers and learners.
Choose a short story from Actively Learn and read it carefully. As you read, use the annotation tools to jot down your thoughts, questions, and any connections you make with the text. Focus on how these annotations help you understand the story better. Afterward, share your annotations with a classmate and discuss how your insights differ or align.
Select a text from Actively Learn and enhance it by adding a multimedia layer. This could include images, videos, or audio clips that relate to the themes or events in the text. Present your multimedia-enhanced text to the class and explain how these elements contribute to a deeper understanding of the material.
In small groups, choose a poem or a short article from Actively Learn. Read the text together and use the platform to annotate collaboratively. Each group member should contribute at least one question or comment. After annotating, discuss your annotations as a group and prepare a short presentation on your collective insights.
Research one of the alternative tools mentioned in the article, such as Newsela, Curriculet, or Subtext. Compare its features with Actively Learn and create a short report or presentation on how it supports close reading and critical thinking. Share your findings with the class.
Start a digital reading journal using Actively Learn. Choose texts that interest you and regularly annotate them as you read. Reflect on your annotations by writing a short summary of your thoughts and insights after each reading session. At the end of the term, review your journal to see how your understanding and engagement with texts have evolved.
**Transcript:**
**JEFF KNUTSON:** Remember when you used to scribble in the margins of that well-worn copy of “The Catcher in the Rye”? Or maybe you weren’t allowed to do that, so you tried to write lightly, hoping only you could see it. Annotating—jotting down questions, thoughts, and insights—is a helpful way for students to think critically about what they’re reading.
One tool that encourages students to engage in critical thinking while close reading is Actively Learn, which can be used on any device, from a laptop to a mobile phone. Students can read public domain books, articles on the internet, or upload their own documents and annotate as they read, personalizing their learning experience.
Most pre-loaded titles include what the site calls “layers” for students to interact with. These detailed, engaging, Common Core standards-aligned questions and multimedia draw students into the text. You can also assign texts to groups of students, allowing them to read, annotate, and interact with each other.
Imagine how you could leverage this tool as you share documents with your whole class during direct instruction, or as students work in small groups to analyze shorter pieces, like poems. Students can add their own questions and ideas to spark interaction. Not only can you track students’ progress, but you can review their notes and provide real-time feedback. Your support is instantaneous and ongoing, rather than being confined to individual conferences with students, which can take a lot of class time.
Looking for similar tools to foster critical thinking and support close reading? Check out Newsela, Curriculet, and Subtext. By helping students take a more personalized approach to reading, you’re encouraging them to become lifelong readers and learners.
Reading – The process of looking at and understanding written language – Example sentence: Reading novels can improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Critical – Involving careful judgment or evaluation – Example sentence: It is important to have a critical approach when analyzing a piece of literature.
Thinking – The process of considering or reasoning about something – Example sentence: Thinking deeply about a problem can help you find creative solutions.
Annotating – Adding notes or comments to a text to enhance understanding – Example sentence: Annotating the margins of a book can help you remember key points and ideas.
Text – Written or printed words that convey information or tell a story – Example sentence: The text of the poem was rich with imagery and emotion.
Engage – To participate or become involved in – Example sentence: Teachers often use questions to engage students in classroom discussions.
Questions – Sentences or phrases used to seek information – Example sentence: Asking questions is a crucial part of developing critical thinking skills.
Students – Individuals who are studying at a school or college – Example sentence: Students are encouraged to think critically and express their opinions in class.
Tools – Resources or instruments used to accomplish a task – Example sentence: Online dictionaries and thesauruses are valuable tools for improving writing skills.
Interactive – Involving active participation and communication – Example sentence: Interactive lessons can make learning more engaging and effective for students.
