ELA Close Reading Lesson Plan Template With Annotation Checkpoints

First read (10 min): Read for gist. Students read the full text (or key excerpt) once for general understanding. Check: 'What is this text about in one sentence?'

Second read (15 min): Read for craft. Students re-read with annotation targets: circle unfamiliar words, underline the author's key claims, mark evidence. Annotation checkpoints let you see who's engaging with the text.

Third read (15 min): Read for analysis. Text-dependent questions that require evidence. Students discuss in pairs, then write a short analytical response. The progression from gist to craft to analysis builds comprehension layer by layer.

After each read, pause for a checkpoint. First read: 'Share your one-sentence summary with your partner.' Second read: 'Hold up your text — I should see at least 3 annotations.' Third read: 'Read me your strongest piece of evidence.'

These checkpoints serve two purposes: they keep students accountable to the reading task, and they give you formative data about who's comprehending and who needs support.

ELA lessons in LessonCraft include structured reading activities with annotation guides, text-dependent questions, and discussion prompts aligned to the reading objective.