M10: Narrow/Wide/Close Reading

What do we mean by Narrow Reading?

Narrow reading is a concept by Stephen Krashen that describes the practice of reading several books by the same author or on the same subject or same genre.  It might also include reading books in a series.  This concept is specifically used with language learning.  The idea is that you get repetition in your language learning through reading limited authors or subjects.

What do we mean by Wide Reading?

Wide reading is that we read books/texts on the same topic but different levels and genres, so a WIDE variety of texts on the same topic. 

Here is a short video (5 minutes) that includes wide reading as a concept connected to reading fluency.  Pay attention to the part on fluency, too!  Fluency is important.

What do we mean by Close Reading?

We maintain focus as closely as possible to the text.  Here is a short synopsis of Close Reading by Dr. Timothy Shanahan (3 minute video).  This is very popular around the US because it is part of Common Core.  Texas is not a Common Core state, but you should be familiar with the concept of close reading.