Suggestions for Reading Text
Carol Brewer
Jun 23, 2008
How do your students read text? Do they read one at a time while other students "follow along", do they read with their partner because they "like to", or do they read silently and answer the questions at the end of the chapter? Many times teachers have their students read different ways, but there is no purpose for the reading assignment. Teachers need to plan for a purpose of how text is read. The Learning-Focused Reading Model suggests three different ways.
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Shared Reading: The teacher is choral reading with the students. The purpose for this type of reading is for the teacher to model the focus of the lesson. This focus might be a comprehension skill from the English, Language Arts Curriculum or the content from the Science or Social Studies (or any other) curriculum.
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Paired Reading: Students are reading with partners. The purpose for this type of reading is for students to practice what has been modeled. The students stop reading from time to time to summarize, ask each other questions, or make personal connections. They model the same comprehension strategies that the teacher has modeled in the shared reading. The teacher monitors by visiting different pairs to ensure understanding.
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Independent Reading: Students are reading to themselves. The purpose for this type reading is for students to apply what has been modeled and practiced to prepare for assessments. Can the students read independently and comprehend what has been read? Can they complete a graphic organizer from what has been read? Can they use the graphic organizer to answer questions or complete the assignment? This type reading prepares students for taking their State Test.
