1. C.A.T.C.H. Annotation protocol
Annotating the text

2. Why is annotation important?
Annotating the text indicates a deeper understanding of the text past the student’s ability to answer questions about the text.
In math a student is asked to “show Your answer” in order to show the order of thinking to solve a math equation, in history a student is asked to “show your answer” to show the thought process that takes place when reading a text.

3. C.A.t.C.H. Annotation Protocol
C.A.T.C.H. stands for…
C ircle and define unknown words
A cknowledge confusion and connections between texts
T alk to the text
Capture the main idea, argument, or author’s purpose
H ightlight evidence

4. C ircle and define unknown words
If a word seems unfamiliar circle it!
Use context clues to figure out the meaning.
Use a dictionary or other source to define the word.

5. A cknowledge confusion and connections between texts
Write questions that you have in the margins.
Write notes about other documents that agree or disagree with the current author.
Write notes about other events that connect with the text.

6. T alk to the text
Write out comments, predictions, observations, connections, and reactions in the margins.

7. C apture the author’s main idea, argument, or purpose
Underline the Author’s main idea or argument.
Trace that argument through the text to identify evidence.

8. H ighlight evidence
Highlight or underline evidence relating to the Author’s argument.