1. Keep It or Junk It
A Close Reading Strategy

2. “Keep It or Junk It” is a non-fiction
reading activity that gets students to
focus on what they are reading and
really understand it.Leads to improved comprehension
Encourages critical thinking
Emphasis on using language; encourages
discussion & argument using vocabulary
Provides practice analyzing & arguing
evidence
Student-led; students take the lead in
learning
Incorporates collaboration
Encourages participation & engagement

4. Activity Essentials
• Select a short non-fiction passage
• Develop a focus question
• Several opportunities to read the
passage
• “Keep It or Junk It” directions
(explicitly taught at first, then posted
& reviewed throughout the activity)
• Ample time for group work, independent
reflection & class-wide discussion

5. The Focus Question
Provides a focus for student learning
based on the standards (What you want
them to know & understand)
Requires students to utilize critical
thinking, language, and writing skills
Elicits an explanation or argument
supported by evidence
Elicits more than one answer

7. The concrete focus question will lead to
higher level thinking, critical thinking, and
problem-solving through…
Evaluati
ng
terms
Categori
zing
terms
Defendi
ng their
reasonin
g
Collaborat
ing
Revising
their
thinking
Applyin
g/
Using
their

9. Your Turn…
Directions:
1. Read passage
2. Reread passage &
circle words that
answer the focus
question
3. With your group
create a group list
of words (using
„Keep it or Junk it‟
with your individual
word lists)
Focus Question:
What things
caused Andrew
Silverman to
file for
divorce?