Close reading is a key strategy for comprehending the complex texts required by the Common Core. Sandra Athans and Denise Devine unpack this strategy, breaking it down into manageable components and sharing their classroom-tested lessons and teaching tools that guide students step-by-step through close reading grade-level texts. Athans and Devine demonstrate how to - select appropriate text for instruction - develop high-level questions to guide student thinking - teach students to use evidence to support their responses - facilitate discussion to further deepen student comprehension - scaffold struggling readers For use with Grades 2-6. About the Author: Sandra Athans and Denise Devine teach fourth grade in update New York. They have previously published Quality Comprehension and Fun-tastic Activities for Differentiation Comprehension Instruction with IRA.