What is a Read Aloud?
According to Reading Rockets (n.d.), "reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about". Typically during a read aloud, the teacher holds the book to the side and the students listen to the teacher read. (Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what we mean.) According to Wright (2015), “read alouds are sessions during which a teacher, parent, or other proficient reader reads aloud from a book or other text to one or more students” (p. 197). Read alouds are very effective with helping English Language Learners (ELL) learn to read. In addition, read alouds help the teacher scaffold the student's understanding of the book that is being read to them, and this is essentially important for ELL students (Reading Rockets, n.d.). Read alouds are important for ELL students, because not all students have parents at home that can read to them in English. Also some parents may not have money to buy books at home, or have access to a public library. During the read aloud, the teacher models how to read with fluency, accuracy, and expression. When teachers read aloud, they are demonstrating the connection between oral and written language (Wright, 2015). After the read aloud, it is important to check the students for understanding by asking comprehension questions, before moving on to the next subject.
According to Reading Rockets (n.d.), "reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about". Typically during a read aloud, the teacher holds the book to the side and the students listen to the teacher read. (Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what we mean.) According to Wright (2015), “read alouds are sessions during which a teacher, parent, or other proficient reader reads aloud from a book or other text to one or more students” (p. 197). Read alouds are very effective with helping English Language Learners (ELL) learn to read. In addition, read alouds help the teacher scaffold the student's understanding of the book that is being read to them, and this is essentially important for ELL students (Reading Rockets, n.d.). Read alouds are important for ELL students, because not all students have parents at home that can read to them in English. Also some parents may not have money to buy books at home, or have access to a public library. During the read aloud, the teacher models how to read with fluency, accuracy, and expression. When teachers read aloud, they are demonstrating the connection between oral and written language (Wright, 2015). After the read aloud, it is important to check the students for understanding by asking comprehension questions, before moving on to the next subject.
Visual Representations
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This video is an example of a teacher reading aloud to her students. This video shows the teacher setting expectations of what the students should be doing during the read aloud. The teacher then begins the read aloud and reads with fluency, accuracy, and expression. Click the link below to watch the video.
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This image shows a teacher reading aloud to her students. The picture shows that the students are engaged with the read aloud. It is important to check students for comprehension during and after the story.
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This image shows a teacher actively engaging her students in a read aloud by asking them questions as she reads. This image shows the students enjoyment in listening to their teacher read, which may motivate them to read more.
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Content Area Examples
Math- During math instruction, read alouds may be used to introduce new math topics. For example, a teacher may introduce counting and grouping numbers. There is a book called, “Math Fables: Lessons That Count,” that introduces counting and grouping numbers, that the teacher could read aloud to the class. This will build students schema on the topic and give them some background information on what they will be learning about for the next week.
Science- During science instruction, the teacher may do a read aloud on the unit they are learning. For example, there may be a unit on solar systems. “Magic School Bus: Our Solar System” would be a book to use for a read aloud to activate the students prior knowledge, and to clarify any misconceptions they had about the solar system.
History- During a history unit, a teacher may do a read aloud on what they are learning about. There are many chapter books on all the different presidents. The teacher may do a read aloud on one of the presidents over a 3-4 week period. At the end of the chapter book the teacher may assess the students by answering a 10-question comprehension quiz about the president.
Art- There are many books on different types of art, and different artists. For example, the teacher may use a read aloud to introduce a new form of art, or an artist. The students will then build background knowledge of what they are learning, and use what they have learned from the read aloud and apply it to their artwork.
Math- During math instruction, read alouds may be used to introduce new math topics. For example, a teacher may introduce counting and grouping numbers. There is a book called, “Math Fables: Lessons That Count,” that introduces counting and grouping numbers, that the teacher could read aloud to the class. This will build students schema on the topic and give them some background information on what they will be learning about for the next week.
Science- During science instruction, the teacher may do a read aloud on the unit they are learning. For example, there may be a unit on solar systems. “Magic School Bus: Our Solar System” would be a book to use for a read aloud to activate the students prior knowledge, and to clarify any misconceptions they had about the solar system.
History- During a history unit, a teacher may do a read aloud on what they are learning about. There are many chapter books on all the different presidents. The teacher may do a read aloud on one of the presidents over a 3-4 week period. At the end of the chapter book the teacher may assess the students by answering a 10-question comprehension quiz about the president.
Art- There are many books on different types of art, and different artists. For example, the teacher may use a read aloud to introduce a new form of art, or an artist. The students will then build background knowledge of what they are learning, and use what they have learned from the read aloud and apply it to their artwork.
References
Clerkin, D. (2009). We the Peepers Story time- A Peeper In My Pocket. [Video File]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zx9w_WnF1I
Reading Rockets. (n.d.) Reading aloud. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/reading-topics/reading-aloud
Why read aloud to children. (n.d.) Read Aloud. Google Sites. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/whyreadaloudtochildren/
Wright, W. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, Inc.
States Should not Adopt Stand Alone Licensure. (2014). Pioneer Institute. Retrieved From http://pioneerinstitute.org/featured/states-should-adopt-stand-alone-teacher-licensure-test-in-reading-linked-to-common-core/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zx9w_WnF1I
Reading Rockets. (n.d.) Reading aloud. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/reading-topics/reading-aloud
Why read aloud to children. (n.d.) Read Aloud. Google Sites. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/whyreadaloudtochildren/
Wright, W. (2015). Foundations for teaching English language learners: research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, Inc.
States Should not Adopt Stand Alone Licensure. (2014). Pioneer Institute. Retrieved From http://pioneerinstitute.org/featured/states-should-adopt-stand-alone-teacher-licensure-test-in-reading-linked-to-common-core/
