Finishing the Labor of Understanding before Talking Back

In a piece for Educational Leadership, professor of English Mark Bauerlein describes the importance of text complexity and the dispositions students will need if they are going to be successful with this outcome.  These include

  1. A Willingness to Probe
  2. The Capacity for Uninterrupted Thinking
  3. A Receptivity to Deep Thinking

Bauerlein moves the reader through the research governing the inclusion of text complexity in the Common Core before writing

Complex texts can be lengthy and opaque, the product of careful thought and studied composition. To address them, readers may need to sit down with them for several hours of concentration. Readers need to be patient enough to ponder a single sentence for a few minutes, because many complex texts aren’t just purveyors of information, but expressions of value and perspective.



You can read Bauerlein’s entire article here.


About Aaron Grossman

This entry was posted in Common Core State Standards, Complex Text, text complexity and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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