Teacher Toolkit

What is it?

This routine supports close critical reading of texts students encounter along the road of inquiry. They start by individually identifying 4 points of connection, which they then share with peers in small groups. They synthesize their shared understandings by collaborating to create a visual of their thinking and interpretations.

Materials – Related Text, sticky notes, four category signs (connections, challenge, concepts, changes)

Set-Up – Whole class, then smaller groups

How does it work?

1. Present students with a text related to the issue (fiction, non-fiction, visual, auditory).
2. Invite them to use sticky notes or otherwise note one of each of the following in the text:

• CONNECTIONS
  What connections do you draw between the text and your own life or your other learning?
• CHALLENGES
  What ideas, positions, or assumptions do you want to challenge or argue with in the text?
• CONCEPTS
  What key concepts or ideas do you think are key or worth holding on to from the text?
• CHANGES
  What changes in attitude, thinking, or action are suggested by the text, for you or others?

Closing

• Ask students to form small groups, share their responses, and create a visual to represent their 4Cs thinking.