What is Partner Reading?
Partner reading is a cooperative learning strategy to increase comprehension. Partner reading is when students read an assigned text with a partner. The students take turns reading. They may take turns reading every other sentence, or every other page. Once the students finish reading with their partner, they can switch and read the text with a different partner. Teachers can pair students together based on their reading level. The teacher may want to pair a higher-level student with a lower level or ELL student. This way, the students can help each other our as they read the text. According to Wayne Wright (2015), “partner reading- in which partner read alternating sentences aloud to each other- was found to be a very important component of the Expediting Comprehension for English Language Learners (ExC-ELL) model for secondary school ELLs because it provides opportunities for students to practice comprehension strategies, comprehend content, and practice appropriate prosody” (Wright, 2015). As the students are reading out loud to each other, the teacher may take the time to walk around the classroom and listen to the students as they read. If the teacher notices certain words or areas that the students are struggling with, then the teacher may reteach or do a mini lesson on that specific area.
Visual Representations
The image above shows to readers doing a partner read. This is a good picture because it shows that both readers are active during the partner reading. One reader is tracking as she reads and the other reader is listening and following along. They are both sitting next to each other and sharing the book by having the book in-between the two of them.
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The video below is of a teacher recording her students during a partner read. In the video the teacher mentions how her students are sitting knee-to-knee and elbow-to-elbow. Sometimes students will lie on their bellies when they partner read. I think having good posture and having the students sit directly next to each other is more effective when partner reading.
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This would be a fun poster to put up into the classroom to remind students how partner reading should look. It shoes the students holding the book together, and sitting knee-to-knee and elbow-to-elbow. It also explains that partner reading is reading to someone.
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Content Area Examples
Science- This strategy could be adapted in a science lesson by passing out a journal or magazine for the students to partner read together. The students may switch off reading every other paragraph. As the students are reading, the teacher may walk around the room and take note of any area students are really struggling with or having a hard time understanding. Then, the teacher can have the students come back to a whole group, and teach a mini-lesson on what they have read.
History- Partner reading could be incorporated in a history lesson by assigning the students a reading from their text and having them partner read. The teacher may want to partner the students together so they are getting through the reading quickly and accurately with little distractions. Once the students are done reading, the teacher may have the class come together as a whole group and ask comprehension questions on what they have read.
Math- This strategy could be adapted into a math lesson by assigning a specific reading from their unit, and paring the students up to read the text. After the students are done reading, the teacher will pull the students back together as a class and go over the material they read about and clarify any confusion the students may have. After the teacher is finished with the mini lesson, then the students may get back together with their partners and complete the assigned problems. The teacher will walk around the classroom and help students if they have any questions about the problems.
Reading- Partner reading is incorporated in reading lessons quite often. The teacher may assign a specific reading to the students. The teacher will then partner the students up and have them read together. If the teacher partner high-level students with lower-level students then this provides scaffolding for students. As the students are reading the teacher may take this time to walk around and take note of any areas the students are struggling with. After the students are done reading, the teacher will pull the students back together and teach a mini lesson on the areas the student’s struggles with. After the mini lesson the teacher may give the students a comprehension questions worksheet in which they have to fill out and complete with their partner as a formative assessment for the teacher.
History- Partner reading could be incorporated in a history lesson by assigning the students a reading from their text and having them partner read. The teacher may want to partner the students together so they are getting through the reading quickly and accurately with little distractions. Once the students are done reading, the teacher may have the class come together as a whole group and ask comprehension questions on what they have read.
Math- This strategy could be adapted into a math lesson by assigning a specific reading from their unit, and paring the students up to read the text. After the students are done reading, the teacher will pull the students back together as a class and go over the material they read about and clarify any confusion the students may have. After the teacher is finished with the mini lesson, then the students may get back together with their partners and complete the assigned problems. The teacher will walk around the classroom and help students if they have any questions about the problems.
Reading- Partner reading is incorporated in reading lessons quite often. The teacher may assign a specific reading to the students. The teacher will then partner the students up and have them read together. If the teacher partner high-level students with lower-level students then this provides scaffolding for students. As the students are reading the teacher may take this time to walk around and take note of any areas the students are struggling with. After the students are done reading, the teacher will pull the students back together and teach a mini lesson on the areas the student’s struggles with. After the mini lesson the teacher may give the students a comprehension questions worksheet in which they have to fill out and complete with their partner as a formative assessment for the teacher.
References
Enzian Michael. (2014). Partner Reading. [Video File]. Retrieved From
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ugGLxVrsE
Wright, W. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, Inc.
The Magical Learners. (n.d.). Daily Five. Retrieved from http://magicallearners.weebly.com/daily-5.html
Dsenk. (2012). Gingerbread man. Kindergarten Nana. Retrieved from https://dbsenk.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/the-gingerbread-man/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ugGLxVrsE
Wright, W. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, Inc.
The Magical Learners. (n.d.). Daily Five. Retrieved from http://magicallearners.weebly.com/daily-5.html
Dsenk. (2012). Gingerbread man. Kindergarten Nana. Retrieved from https://dbsenk.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/the-gingerbread-man/