Close reading with three symbols: a simple annotation routine for grades 6–8

The three symbols:
A star (*) next to the most important idea in a paragraph.
A question mark (?) next to anything confusing or anything they wonder about.
An exclamation point (!) next to something surprising or that they have a reaction to.

How to teach it:

1. Model with the first paragraph under a document camera or on the board. Think aloud: "I'm putting a star here because this sentence tells me what the whole paragraph is about."
2. Students annotate the next paragraph with a partner, then compare their marks with another pair.
3. Students finish the text alone. Ask for at least one of each symbol, with a few words in the margin to explain each one.
4. Discuss using their marks: start with the question marks, because confusions are the best place to begin a conversation.
5. Exit question: "Using your stars, write the main idea of the whole text in one sentence."

Why it helps: the symbols slow readers down, and the margin notes give you a quick look at who understood the main idea and who got lost.

What to change next time: for advanced readers, add a fourth symbol, a box around a word or phrase the author chose on purpose, and ask why. For readers who need support, give a shorter text, read the first section aloud, and ask for only stars and question marks.