Language Arts

"The Task-Text-Talk model for ELA instruction is designed to keep the main thing, the main thing. That is reading, writing, and discussions for a clearly defined purpose (see the Purpose Statements section on pages 39-42 in the Rigorous Reading book by Frey & Fisher). Think of TASK-TEXT-TALK as essential ingredients for all lessons. Lessons will not necessarily flow along a neat Task then Text then Talk sequence. The lines between TASK-TEXT-TALK are blurred and often overlap." The five access points are woven into lessons as needed to ensure all students can successfully interact with the Task, the Text, and the Talk.

What are the 5 Access Points for Rigorous Reading?

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.

The 5 Access Points Toward Proficiency (Link to Resources)

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.