Four Stage Text Investigation

Makeda Holley

Strategy Demonstration #1

What is the four stage text investigation?

The four stage frame empowers students to comprehend text by framing the author's message through examining the context, tracing his or her specific purpose and detecting their plan behind their writing, deciphering the intention that instigated the author to write the text, and finally reconstructing the motive looming behind it all. All of this depth is the spring board to extend the act of understanding beyond the text, connecting to themselves, and their quest for larger meaning (Piercy and Piercy, 2011, p.84).

What text can be used?

The great thing about the four stage text investigation is that it can be used for both fiction and non-fiction.
No matter the discipline (Math, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, or an Encore class) this can be successful. Make certain that you are familiar with the text prior to giving it to your students.

The four stages

Stage A- Context
Stage B- Text Stage C- Impersonal Subtext

Stage D- Personal Subtext

Stage A- Context
The framework for the text These are questions that are right there Some examples:
Who is the author? When was this made? What makes the author qualified to write on this issue or topic? The outside frame is where the 4 questions for A will go. Students will write directly on the frame.

Stage B- Text
The text from the perspective of the field of study. Text Specific questions of high cognitive demand aligned with the complexity of texts. Some examples of Stage B questions:
What implicit message is the author through the speaker attempting to present? What was the attitude the author wanted the reader to adopt as a result of reading the text?

Stage C- Impersonal Subtext

Reading between the lines for deeper comprehension. Looking at both connections (an association or a relationship) and empathy (identification with and understanding of anothers situation). Some sample questions:
In what ways am I similar to the author or the key person in the text? Why do I agree or disagree with the authors belief?

Stage d- Personal Subtext

Uncovering meanings which the author did not intend to reveal. Looking at both empathy (understanding of anothers meanings and motives) and emotional truth (feeling that arises during reading, is reflected upon, and is applied to reach new realization). Some examples of these questions:

How do I associate this feeling with a prior feeling? Why did the author want to share these feelings?

What does this look like in my class?

I pick a text that falls within the unit that we are working on.
I create frames for students with all four stages present:
Stage A is the outer frame. Stage B is the inside part of the frame. Stage C is written below the frame. Stage D is written below the frame.

I place students in groups of four to work together on the frames.

This can either be students working as A,B, C, and D or I will have four different questions for each stage that they have to answer or it will be one question and I am looking for four different answers.

What does this look like in my class?

When first doing this, I give the questions to the students to answer. However, as time moves on, I allow students to pick the questions from the packet themselves. Students love it because they are able to become investigators and have a finished product.

Thinking like a literary critic

Here is the link to the literary critic investigation:
http://literacyacrossdisciplines.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/f ile/view/Supporting%20Questions%20for%20Thinking %20Like%20a%20Literary%20Critic.pdf/339597134/S upporting%20Questions%20for%20Thinking%20Like% 20a%20Literary%20Critic.pdf

thinking like a historian

Here is the link to the historian four stage investigation.
http://literacyacrossdisciplines.cmswiki.wikispaces.n et/file/view/Supporting%20Questions%20for%20Thi nking%20Like%20a%20Historian.pdf/339596952/Su pporting%20Questions%20for%20Thinking%20Like %20a%20Historian.pdf

Thinking like a mathematician

Here is the link to the mathematician four stage investigation:
http://literacyacrossdisciplines.cmswiki.wikispaces.n et/file/view/Supporting%20Questions%20for%20Thi nking%20Like%20a%20Mathematician.pdf/3395970 34/Supporting%20Questions%20for%20Thinking%2 0Like%20a%20Mathematician.pdf

thinking like a scientist

Here is a link to the scientist four stage investigation:
http://literacyacrossdisciplines.cmswiki.wikispaces.n et/file/view/Supporting%20Questions%20for%20Thi nking%20Like%20a%20Scientist.pdf/339597082/Su pporting%20Questions%20for%20Thinking%20Like %20a%20Scientist.pdf

references
Piercy, T., & Piercy, W. (2011). Disciplinary literacy: Redefining deep understanding and leadership for 21-st century demands. Englewood, CO: The Leadership and Learning Center.