I LOVE using Jamboard in the classroom. It allows for collaboration, immediate feedback, and easy scaffolding during lessons.
Close reading is an essential routine for reading comprehension development, no matter the age. I used a three column note organizer for my upper graders (5th graders) to complete a close reading activity (called SPREADS notes) prior to teaching 2nd and 3rd graders using Google Jamboard. However, you can use it with many other platforms, including Seesaw, Nearpod, or Peardeck.
This is a close reading strategy I adapted from the AVID program. SPREADS stands for Scan the text’s pictures and captions, Predict what the text will be about, Read the text and connect to it, Evaluate the text by asking a question, Analyze the text by answering questions, and describe Details about the text that helped you understand it. The final “S” stands for Summarize the text, which I removed as a modification for my second graders in this lesson.
This rigorous strategy has challenged my students and allowed me to differentiate close reading for them. Best of all, it is an easy routine for teacher’s to prep and deliver!
Here is a picture of an example of what a finished SPREAD note looked like after a reading assignment. I adapted the close reading technique to be more collaborative and primary grade friendly (this one was with my 2nd and 3rd virtual combination classroom). All student names have been hidden.
We start the lesson off by discussing our learning intentions and success criteria. Then we review any essential reading skills and do a “first read” of the text to acquire essential vocabulary and ask questions. Next, students get a collaborative link to the Jamboard, and we jump right into our notes. Last, I assess by reviewing the students’ responses on the “Analyze” slide and provide timely feedback. This assignment can be done over a few days, and once students have the routine down, this assignment can be self paced (always the goal), opening up time for intervention and reading assessments.
This close reading strategy and the use of Jamboard for it really changed the game for our reading routine! The most satisfying part: I see results. Many of my students reading comprehension scores grew after implementing this assignment into their weekly reading routines.
Alyssa Macedo 