Emphasize Shared Reading Blog Post 4 April Hollis

Reggie Routman does a terrific job explaining what a shared reading experience should look like in the chapter Emphasize Shared Reading. Shared reading can be done using a variety of text: nonfiction, picture books, short stories, newspapers, plays, poetry, chants, novels, textbooks, and periodicals.  There are many benefits to shared reading. For example, students who are exposed to shared reading will have more confidence, fluency, and word familiarity as well as practice in phonemic awareness and phonics. In addition, shared reading is also cost effective and works across the curriculum. Instead of multiple copies only one copy is needed that can be projected onto the board for the entire class to see.  According to Routman, shared reading is a great way for struggling readers to follow along and listen as the teacher reads and thinks aloud and invites participation.

At first I was confused between a read aloud and shared reading. After further research it became evident that there were some differences. Shared reading is exactly that a shared experience between teachers and students. I found that this is a perfect opportunity to model fluency. Also, I use my shared reading time to model a variety of strategies. Afterwards, students would take what we learned and try it independently while I worked with a guided reading group. I would encourage all teachers to incorporate shared reading into their ELA blocks on a daily basis.