Molding Minds

If you’re looking for a powerful way to launch your reading instruction and build a classroom full of engaged, thoughtful readers, Notice and Note Fiction Signposts are a must. I’ve found that introducing these signposts at the very beginning of the school year transforms how my students approach reading—for the better.

What Are the Fiction Signposts?

Created by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst, the Notice and Note Signposts are six key moments that often appear in fiction texts. These moments help students slow down and think deeply about what they’re reading. Here are the six signposts I start with in my third grade classroom:

These signposts give students a purpose for reading. They encourage students to pause, ask questions, and dig into the text. Before I teach specific reading standards, I start here—because when students learn to notice these moments, they naturally become stronger readers across all genres and skills.

How I Introduce Signposts

In our first few weeks, we use Pixar shorts to introduce each signpost in an engaging, visual way. The students love it, and they begin to recognize these powerful reading moments without even opening a book. From there, we transition into applying the signposts to our independent reading, book clubs, and read alouds.

By the time we dive into fiction standards, my students are already reading like detectives—spotting patterns, making inferences, and thinking critically. They’re always amazed at how many signposts we find together in our read alouds!

Ready to Try It in Your Classroom?

If you’re excited to get started with signposts, I’ve created a Notice and Note Fiction Signpost Interactive Journal and Bookmarks set that’s perfect for launching this strategy with your students. It includes student-friendly definitions, visual bookmarks, and an interactive journal that helps readers reflect deeply as they read.

👉 Click here to check it out on TPT

And when you’re ready to explore nonfiction signposts, I’ve got you covered there too! My Nonfiction Signpost Bundle includes everything you need to introduce and assess nonfiction signposts with ease: an interactive journal, bookmarks, and a ready-to-use quiz.

👉 View the full Nonfiction Signpost Bundle
👉 Need just the assessment or independent practice? Grab it here.

These resources have helped my students become more intentional, analytical readers—and I hope they’ll do the same for yours!

Mentor Texts & Pixar Shorts for Teaching Signposts

One of my favorite parts of teaching the signposts is introducing them through Pixar-style shorts. These engaging, bite-sized films help students grasp each signpost in a visual and memorable way. Once students understand the concept, we apply it to mentor texts—and they’re always amazed at how much they notice!

Here’s a chart to help you get started:

Signpost	Short Video Clip	Mentor Texts
Words of the Wiser	Boundin’	Enemy Pie, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Giving Tree, A Bad Case of Stripes
Contrasts & Contradictions	Finding Nemo – Bruce Scene	Library Lion, Each Kindness, The Bad Seed, Ferdinand, Enemy Pie, A Bad Case of Stripes, Recess Queen
Tough Questions	Shoe	A Bad Case of Stripes, A Bike Like Sergio’s, Coal Thief, The Empty Pot
Again and Again	Up – Opening Scene	Chrysanthemum, Each Kindness, Where the Wild Things Are, A Sweet Smell of Roses
Memory Moment	Tangled – Lantern Scene	A Chair for My Mother, Drawn Together, Fly Away Home, The Day the Crayons Quit
Aha Moment	Snack Attack	A Chair for my Mother, Drawn Together, Fly Away Home, The Day the Crayons Quit

Notice & Note Signposts Task Cards (for independent practice and partner work)