Short texts are everywhere—often within reach or quick glance. Think about all of the short texts that surround you each day such as:

• To Do List

• Take-out Menu

• Poem

• Magazine Article

• Signage at the Mall

• Pamphlet in a hotel lobby

• Ads on your web browser home page

• Instagram Posts

The list goes on and on. And, most short texts are packed full of meaning-making opportunities for readers of all ages. Elizabeth and I are excited to share lots of exciting ideas about ways to use short texts in our forthcoming book, Short Texts: Mighty Mentors That Move Readers and Writers Forward [Benchmark, 2020] which is filled with texts, templates, and planners which is sure to get you and your students jazzed up about reading [and maybe even creating] short texts of all types!

TRY THIS

1. Grab a short text that you think is interesting and that you think will pique your students’ interests.

2. Give students a copy of the Short Texts Note Catcher [see example below].

3. Read the descriptions under each shape and discuss with students.

   NOTE: If you believe more than 50% of your students will need support, choose a short text and a copy of the note catcher and create a shared reading experience. Display the short text and read it with students—making your thinking visible to them as you co-construct meaning and hold your thinking using the note catcher. This experience will give students an opportunity to try on a short text and this note catcher, providing support where needed and leading to greater success.

4. Group students in pairs, trios or groups of 4.

5. Give students 10-15 minutes to read and jot down their answers. Join small groups of students to provide support where needed.

6. Provide time for students to share their note catcher ideas with others.

EXTENDING THE LEARNING

• Grab other short texts and give students multiple opportunities to read, make meaning, jot down their thinking and share with others.

• Invite students to collect and share other short texts that could be used with this activity.

• Ask students if they have other shapes or question stems they might want to add to this note catcher. Invite students to create a Short Text Shape Note Catcher for others to try out.

INTERESTED IN OTHER NOTE CATCHERS?

Note Catchers can be used across settings and for many different purposes. The shape note catchers I blog about are inspired by ideas we developed in our book, What Are You Grouping For?, Grades 3-8: How to Guide Small Groups Based on Readers—Not the Book [Wright & Hoonan, 2018]. If you like shape note catchers, check out A Little Bit About…which can help you get to know students and their interests.