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Rigorous Reading
Foreword by P. David Pearson
Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher articulate an instructional plan for close reading so clearly, and so squarely built on research, that it’s the only resource a teacher will need.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781452268132
- Published By: Corwin
- Series: Corwin Literacy
- Year: 2013
- Page Count: 256
- Publication date: September 13, 2013
Price: $39.95
Description
What it really means to “read closely.”
What could Fern Arable, Jay Gatsby, and Winston Churchill possibly have in common? They all need masterful teachers to help students revel in their complexity. And Nancy Frey and Doug Fisher are just the two mentors to help you make that happen.
Call it close reading, call it deep reading, call it analytic reading—call it what you like. The point is, it’s a level of understanding that students of any age can achieve with the right kind of instruction. In Rigorous Reading, Nancy and Doug articulate an instructional plan so clearly, and so squarely built on research, that teachers, schools, and districts need look no further.
The 5 Access Points Toward Proficiency
- Purpose & Modeling: Teachers think aloud to demonstrate critical thinking and how good readers always know why they are reading.
- Close & Scaffolded Reading Instruction: Teachers engage students in repeated readings and discussions, with text-dependent questions, prompts, and cues to help students delve into an author’s ideas.
- Collaborative Conversations: Teachers orchestrate collaborative learning to get students in the habit of exercising their analytical thinking in the presence of their peers.
- An Independent Reading Staircase: Teachers artfully steer students to more challenging books, with strategic bursts of instruction and peer conferences to foster metacognitive awareness.
- Performance: Teachers offer feedback and assessments that help students demonstrate understanding of text in authentic ways and plan instruction based on student understanding.
There’s more . . . Also included are illustrative classroom video clips available via QR codes along with an online Facilitator’s Guide with PowerPoints--making Rigorous Reading the only resource a teacher, school, or district needs to seriously stretch students’ capacity to read and comprehend text.
Key features
Chapters will focus on GRR as it specifically plays out in ELA in the 6-12 classroom.
- Chapter 1: Will introduce the model and explain why it is essential to deep, transferable learning
- Chapter 2: What are the ingredients of a focused lesson? Establishing purpose & modeling
- Chapter 3: What does guided instruction look like? Cues, prompts, and questions
- Chapter 4: Collaborative Learning: The importance of Consolidating Thinking with Peers
- Chapter 5: Beyond "Do it yourself:" Independent Learning tasks for Students
- Chapter 6: How to Implement a GRR Model
Author(s)

Nancy Frey

Douglas Fisher
Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is the recipient of an International Reading Association William S. Grey citation of merit and an Exemplary Leader award from the Conference on English Leadership of NCTE. He has published numerous articles on teaching and learning as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook, PLC+, Visible Learning for Literacy, Comprehension: The Skill, Will, and Thrill of Reading, How Tutoring Works, and How Learning Works. Doug loves being an educator and hopes to share that passion with others.
Table of Contents
List of Videos
Foreword by P. David Pearson
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Your Access Point
Chapter 1. Ramping Up for Complex Texts
Reading Complex Texts: Anchor Standard 10
A New Definition of Text Complexity
Reading Closely: Anchor Standard 1
The Importance of Comprehension Strategies Instruction for Accessing Complex Texts
Accessing Complex Texts Through a Gradual Release of Responsibility
Summary
Chapter 2. Access Point One: Purpose and Modeling
Accessing Complex Text Requires Modeling
Accessing Complex Text Requires a Clear Purpose
Summary
Chapter 3. Access Point Two: Close and Scaffolded Reading Instruction
Accessing Complex Text Requires Close Reading
Accessing Complex Text Requires Scaffolded Reading Instruction
Summary
Chapter 4. Access Point Three: Collaborative Conversations
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Collaborative Conversations
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Student-to-Student Interaction
Summary
Chapter 5. Access Point Four: An Independent Reading Staircase
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Independent Reading
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Conferring
Summary
Chapter 6. Access Point Five: Demonstrating Understanding and Assessing Performance
Accessing Complex Texts Requires More Than Personal Connections
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Students to Do Something After Reading
Accessing Complex Texts Requires Formative Assessments
Summary
Coda
Professional Learning Guide
References
Index
Reviews
"One would think that the first place to look when wanting information about the Common Core State Standards would be, well, the Common Core State Standards. The fact is, though, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey are quickly becoming the go-to folks for information on teaching these standards. They've proven this again in Rigorous Reading. This is certainly a book to be added to your collection of books that attend to the demands of the CCSS."Kylene Beers, Ed.D.
"With Rigorous Reading Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey have provided literacy educators who are committed to successfully raising the bar with solutions that make sense. The book is masterfully developed with an extensive reach across many grade levels in terms of defining what it means to provide intentional instruction and teaching text complexity. The five access points are discussed pragmatically with evidence of a solid research base deftly woven throughout the book. This is the most practical book I have come across in terms of providing teachers with the knowledge base and assistance many are seeking to improve their instruction with regard to complex texts."Steven L. Layne, Ed.D., Professor of Literacy Education
Judson University, Elgin, IL
"In Rigorous Reading: 5 Access Points for Helping Students Comprehend Complex Texts, Fisher and Frey help teachers understand how to bring vigor to rigor. They teach us how to help students understand more from their complex texts -- greater understanding that will help to bring life and energy to each student's reading. Rooted in solid research, this is book is a must-read for those grappling with how to translate the recommendations and mandates around text complexity from the Common Core into instructional practices."Jennifer Serravallo author of Teaching Reading in Small Groups and Conferring with Readers
"In a time when nearly every state has adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), we need resources that show us how to support students in developing their full literacy potential. In this very practical and insightful book, Fisher and Frey examine how CCSS conceptions of text complexity are causing us to shift some of our ideas about reading instruction. Rigorous Reading is an important resource that will help teachers align reading instruction with the CCSS in powerful ways."Linda B. Gambrell, Professor
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
“This is a bold book. . . . Its genius, and its unique contribution, is in bringing the balance and the centeredness to this new game in town—the Common Core."P. David Pearson, Professor of the Graduate School of Education
University of California, Berkeley
Other Titles in: English/Language Arts Common Core | Reading (Primary/Elementary) | Reading (Middle/High School)
For Instructors
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Related Professional Learning
Related Signature ServicesRelated Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.
- Video: Analyzing Complex Texts [Video]