The Power of Annotation: Exemplar

An Interview with Ms. Washington

Why do you use annotations? What is the benefit?
I am able to gauge student comprehension and gain insight into their opinions or their feelings on a topic.  I can see its relevance to them.  Annotations get them excited about reading; it helps them get into the topic.  I have been focusing mainly on: immigration, environmental policy, and education policy topics that may pertain to them.”


How long have you been using annotations as a strategy?
“I have been teaching in the classroom for about five years and I have been using annotations that whole time.”


What do the students say?
“They appreciate using the symbols to express their thoughts and feelings.  They like asking questions in the margins because there is no penalty for being “dumb”; feeling embarrassed about a question or a statement they are  making.”


How has it been shifting to digital tools?
I love the shift.  I can personalize the learning by adjusting the lexile and language.  The students have access to the materials anywhere.”

This page has paths:

  1. Ms. Washington’s Take on Annotations - Articles of the Week Alejandro Arias
  2. The Power of Annotation Alejandro Arias

Contents of this path:

  1. Next Steps Where could annotations take our students?