One of the struggles students have with reading literature, especially in high school, is close reading. Students often read for details of plot, or to answer simplified study guide questions, but few students take the time to focus on reading for depth, especially with themes or important questions. The Envelope Assignment is a great close reading strategy for helping students stay focused on one or more themes throughout their reading. When paired with Storyboard That, it makes sharing their information more interesting and fun, even though they’re still doing a lot of work!
Envelope Assignment
The close reading envelope assignment is a great way to get students from all levels to focus on important themes, ideas, and character developments within a novel. Storyboarding the results can help take this strategy to a whole new level!
Teachers should hand out an envelope to each student that is only identified by a number (or create a Google Doc that is only accessible to you and the student). Inside the envelope, there should be index cards and a slip of paper that tells the student what his or her assigned topic is. (The topic can also be placed in a Google Doc and the student can fill in the document as they go along.) This topic will be the student’s responsibility to track and report throughout the course of the chosen novel. The student will write a quote or a summary of where the example of their topic appears, and then an explanation of how the quote or summary relates to the topic.
With Storyboard That, the students can keep track of their findings visually, too. For each topic, have students visually depict a scene of their chosen example from the novel, and underneath, explain how it relates to their topic. Have students report out to the entire class or to their groups once a week using their Storyboard That creations – the class can take notes on the different themes and important questions, and have fun looking at other students’ creativity!
| *Teacher Note* |
|---|
I was introduced to this assignment a few years ago, before all of my students had Chromebooks. Before the Chromebooks, it made sense to give this assignment in individual envelopes and have students report on index cards. Now that my students all have access to Google Drive, I create a special folder with a Google Doc for each student and place their topic inside. Then, that student uses that Google Doc to track their topic, and I can keep an eye on their progress daily. They then use this Google Doc to create their storyboards! Students are far more interested in sharing their work that has illustrations, rather than just using index cards! |
Below is a template for students to use and an example of an envelope assignment from A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Assignment Text for Students
As enjoyable as this novel is to read, it’s also important to become a great close reader. What is close reading, you ask? Close reading is carefully examining a passage of literature to recognize theme, conflicts, and many other literary elements. For that purpose, and to prepare you for some serious college writing skills:
Each student will be given a Google folder with one close reading topic in it; throughout the novel, copy passages into this folder with a page number and brief reasoning of how it relates to the topic.
In your Google Docs:
- Provide the quote and page number
- Discuss why the passage was selected
- Discuss the effect of the quoted passage on the meaning of the work so far/as a whole
Your Google Docs will be checked for homework grades along the way, and your final product will count as a quiz grade.
In your Storyboard That accounts:
- Depict each passage in a cell, and provide your brief reasoning of how it relates to the topic below it
- DO NOT INCLUDE QUOTES
- Groups will meet once a week and share and discuss the contents of their findings using their storyboard presentations.
All storyboard presentations will be shared with the class, and it will count as a test grade. These topics will be used for various activities over the course of the novel, and you will be utilizing these to write an analytical paper on the novel at the end.
Have students read through the novel and come up with their own essential question or theme to track along the way.
Common Core Standards
ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
Index Card / Google Doc Rubric
Each student will be given a Google folder with one close reading topic in it; throughout the novel, copy passages into this folder with a page number and brief reasoning of how it relates to the topic.
In your Google Docs:
Provide the quote and page number;
Discuss why the passage was selected;
Discuss the effect of the quoted passage on the meaning of the work so far/as a whole. Your Google Docs will be checked for homework grades along the way, and your final product will count as a quiz grade.
These topics will be used for various activities over the course of the novel, and you will be utilizing these to write an analytical paper on the novel at the end.
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirements | Quotes/summaries of important passages are included. Explanations of these events and their relationship to the prompt are included. There is a sufficient amount of cards for this topic. | Quotes/summaries of important passages are included on most of the cards AND/OR most cards include explanations of how these passages are related to the prompt AND there is a sufficient amount of cards for this topic. | Quotes/summaries are missing on most/all of the cards AND/OR explanations of how the passages are related to the prompt are missing on most/all of the cards AND/OR there is not a sufficient amount of cards for this topic. |
| Content | Events/examples chosen are relevant and show important connections with the prompt. Explanations of these examples reflect careful thought, reflection, and insight. | Most events/examples chosen are relevant and show important connections with the prompt AND/OR a few explanations or events may be vague, disconnected, or confused AND explanations reflect adequate insight in relation to the prompt. | Some examples chosen are relevant to the prompt, but too many are irrelevant AND/OR explanations are vague and unclear, or they do not relate to what the prompt is asking AND/OR explanations are basic and lack insight or reflection in relation to the prompt. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Storyboard Presentation Rubric
Each student will be given a Google folder with one close reading topic in it; throughout the novel, copy passages into this folder with a page number and brief reasoning of how it relates to the topic.
In your Storyboard That accounts:
Depict each passage in a cell, and provide your brief reasoning of how it relates to the topic below it;
DO NOT INCLUDE QUOTES;
Groups will meet once a week and share and discuss the contents of their findings using their Storyboard presentations. At the end, all Storyboard presentations will be shared with the class, and it will count as a test grade.
These topics will be used for various activities over the course of the novel, and you will be utilizing these to write an analytical paper on the novel at the end.
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Scenes Depicted | Scenes depicted reflect a direct connection to the assigned envelope topic. The scenes are neat and eye-catching, and the art chosen is accurate and appropriate to the novel. There is a sufficient amount of cells provided for this topic. | Most scenes depicted reflect a direct connection to the assigned envelope topic. There may be some inaccuracies or confusion in some of the cells. The scenes are neat and eye-catching, and the art chosen is accurate and appropriate to the novel. There is a sufficient amount of cells provided for this topic. | Some scenes depicted reflect a connection to the assigned envelope topic, and/or key events from the novel are missing. There may be some inaccuracies or confusion in some of the cells, or some of the information is missing altogether. The scenes may not reflect time, care, and effort, and the art chosen may be inaccurate or inappropriate for the novel. |
| Reasoning and Discussion | Discussion of the chosen scenes' relation to the assigned topic reflects careful thought, reflection, and insight. | Most of the discussions of the chosen scenes' relation to the assigned topic reflect careful thought and important connections. Some discussions may be too limited or may be inaccurate. | Discussions of chosen scenes' relation to the assigned topic are vague and unclear, or they do not relate to what the prompt is asking. Explanations may be basic and lack insight or reflection in relation to the prompt. Some explanations may be missing altogether or too limited to assess. |
| English Conventions (Including Dialogue!) | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Related Activities
How to Implement the Close Reading Envelope Assignment with Storyboard That
Preparing the envelopes
Hand out an envelope to each student, identified only by a number. Inside the envelope, include index cards and a slip of paper indicating the assigned topic for each student. Alternatively, create a Google Doc accessible only to you and the student, with the assigned topic for tracking and reporting throughout the novel.
Explaining the assignment
Provide clear instructions to the students about the close reading envelope assignment. Explain that they need to track and report on important themes, ideas, and character developments within the novel. Emphasize the importance of careful examination and analysis of the chosen passages.
Close reading documentation
Instruct students to copy passages from the novel into their designated Google Docs or envelopes. For each passage, they should include the quote, page number, and a brief reasoning of how it relates to the assigned topic. Discuss with students the effect of the quoted passage on the meaning of the work as a whole.
Visual representation with Storyboard That
Introduce Storyboard That as a tool for visual representation and analysis. Instruct students to create a storyboard cell for each passage they have documented, depicting a scene from the novel. Below each cell, they should provide a brief explanation of how the scene relates to their assigned topic. Emphasize that quotes should not be included in the storyboard.
Group sharing and discussion
Organize weekly group meetings where students can share and discuss their storyboard presentations with their peers. Encourage active participation and note-taking during these sessions. Students can learn from each other's creativity and gain insights into different themes and important questions.
Whole-class sharing and assessment
Have students share their storyboard presentations with the entire class. This can be done by presenting the storyboards or sharing them digitally. Assess the presentations as a test grade, considering the students' ability to analyze and connect their findings to the assigned topics. Explain that these topics will be used for various activities throughout the novel and will also serve as a basis for writing an analytical paper at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions about Close Reading Envelope Assignment
What is a close reading envelope assignment, and how does it work?
A close reading envelope assignment is an exercise where students read and analyze a specific text or passage in depth. They then write their observations and insights on notecards or slips of paper, which are placed in an envelope and handed in to the teacher for evaluation. This activity is designed to encourage students to engage with the text, develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the material.
What are some tips for assessing student work on close reading envelope assignments?
Teachers can evaluate student work based on the quality of their observations and insights, as well as their ability to identify literary devices, analyze themes, and provide evidence to support their claims. Rubrics can be used to provide clear guidelines for grading, and peer review can be used to encourage students to give and receive constructive feedback.
How can close reading envelope assignments be used to support critical thinking and problem-solving skills?
By asking students to closely analyze a text and identify key themes and literary devices, close reading envelope assignments can help to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can practice identifying patterns and making connections between different parts of the text, as well as developing their ability to draw conclusions and make inferences.
Can close reading envelope assignments be used in subjects other than English language arts?
Absolutely! Close reading envelope assignments can be used in any subject where students are required to read and analyze texts, such as social studies, science, and even math. For example, students can analyze historical documents, scientific articles, or mathematical proofs using the same close reading skills and techniques used in English language arts.
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