Useful Articles

Modelled reading

Reading aloud to children is an everyday event in a balanced literacy classroom. You, the teacher, model yourself as a reader who values books and reads with fluency.

Read-alouds in small groups or whole groups create a community of readers who listen, observe, and share. The books chosen for read-alouds expose children to new experiences and introduce them to different genres (both narrative and informational), popular authors and writing styles.

As children respond to the books, they share their common and diverse experiences and build their background knowledge for their independent reading of the books.

The responsibility lies with the teacher to select the book for a purpose, to read with expression, and to encourage children to interact as they predict, make connections, and respond.

Teaching Tips for Read-Alouds

• Select the book for a purpose
• Read the book yourself before reading it to children
• Determine natural breaks for stopping
• Read with expression
• Encourage responses
• Share your thoughts

Article adapted from Rigby Literacy Teacher's Guide (2000)

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