Shared reading (as an approach for teaching reading)

Shared reading (PDF, 28 KB)

Progression Tags:

• RdComp
• RdCrit

The purpose of the activity

To teach and develop the use of specific reading strategies.

In shared reading, the tutor reads aloud a text that is too difficult for the learners to read by themselves while the learners follow the reading in their own copies of the text or on an overhead transparency (OHT). The tutor models and ‘thinks out loud’ about adopting particular strategies during the reading. The learners then focus their thinking, express their ideas and receive feedback on these ideas. The tutor provides opportunities for learners to practise using the reading strategies demonstrated, with the same and with other texts.

The teaching points

• The effective use of reading strategies.

Resources

• Texts, with copies for all learners or a copy on an OHT.
• Overhead projector, markers.

The guided teaching and learning sequence

1. Select a text (or extract) that gives the learners opportunities to learn a specific reading strategy. The text can be one the learners are likely to find difficult to read and fully understand independently.

2. Give each learner a copy of the text or display it on an OHT.

3. Discuss the purpose for the reading with the learners, and explain the strategy that will be taught, as well as the specific text structure that will be explored.

4. Read the text aloud, then model and explain how you used the selected strategy to make sense of the text.

5. After the reading, take the learners back to the purpose for reading and review it.

6. Discuss the different ways in which the learners will be able to apply the strategy that was modelled and discussed.

7. Give the learners opportunities to practise using the strategy with different texts.

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