Students should have opportunities to engage with texts that move them from literal comprehension requiring very little inference to more complex texts that require the use of multiple comprehension skills to construct meaning. Once students comprehend a text, they can interact with the ideas the text presents, recognizing the larger themes and messages and how they can apply the knowledge gained to their lives and the world around them. Students in third grade should begin thoughtful, purposeful consideration of the texts they view, hear, or read. They should move from illustrating and writing about the concepts in sources to taking notes, annotating, and freewriting in response to the material, producing questions and insights that help them achieve deeper understanding.

a verbal or written reaction to something that is read, written, or heard