The Three Levels of Reading

Using Concentric Circles for Deeper Layers of

Meaning

Essential Question: How do we use close reading strategies to discover multiple layers of meaning in our reading? What do we notice when we do?

First Layer

Students find meaning directly in the text. As you read, you mentally answer the questions who, what, when, and where.

Second Layer

Readers draw inferences from what is in the text.

You also analyze what you read by: interpreting, classifying, comparing, contrasting, and finding patterns.

Third Layer

You will move beyond the text to connect to universal meaning. As you read, you relate the messages of the text to events in your world and your life.

Three Concentric

Circles

Instructions for Creating Concentric

Circles Graphic

Across the top of the paper, write the title of the work and the author’s name.

Draw three large concentric circles on the paper (one circle inside another circle inside a larger circle).

First Level of Reading

For the innermost circle, concentrate on the concrete level of meaning— reading on the line. a. Write the most significant word from the book. b. Partner 1: Quote the entire sentence in which the

word appears—or enough of the sentence to reveal the word’s use in context. Document the source of the quotation in parentheses.

c. Partner 1: Write multiple dictionary definitions of the word (denotation).

d. Partner 2: Explain why the word is important to the meaning of the work by placing it in the context of the narrative. (Explain what is literally happening in the text when the word is used.)

Second Level of

ReadingIn the middle circle, concentrate on the abstract level of meaning—reading between the lines. a. Draw four images that relate to the assigned

part of the reading. b. Write an explanation of the link between each

image and the word you have written in the innermost circle.

c. Split this work evenly!

Third Level of

ReadingIn the outer circle, concentrate on the thematic level of meaning—reading beyond the lines.

Each person writes one thematic statement drawn from the significant word written in the innermost circle and the images drawn in the middle circle. These should be universal thematic statements and should not refer directly to the text.