Shared reading is one of my favorite activities to do in the classroom. It is also one of the surest ways to help young children 'up and reading' quickly.
What IS Shared Reading?
The teacher guides the class (or small group) through a text at or slightly above the majority of the class' level
Using a document camera, the teacher does the heavy lifting while encouraging the class to join in. A document camera allows you to utilize your entire leveled text library and more importantly, the books kids will be reading independently.
Over the course of multiple reads, the teacher's voice gets quieter as the children read more/louder
Why do Shared Reading?
A quick warm-up before independent reading
Highly engaging and scaffolded tool to have children practice skills taught during lessons
Easy transfer to independent reading - quite simply, you are modeling and having students try skills and strategies with you before asking them to do it on their own
When does Shared Reading happen?
Can be done anytime during the day
Highest leverage, after your mini-lesson and right before independent reading
During small group time
How does Shared Reading look?
Rally the class to read with you - explain what shared reading is and what their job is (hint: to read with you!)
Use text at or slightly above most of the class' level - when children aren't reading conventionally, start with A/B level texts
Keep it quick - about 10 minutes - you can stop and pick up where you left off later
Here's a video of me modeling Shared Reading
Tip! Use a text you have multiple copies of - then after a few reads, pass out the copies like gifts! You can also create your own texts or download the one I use below.
I hope this helps! If you'd like to use the text in the video above, here it's below. I'm working on more shared reading videos and texts, make sure you subscribe to my mailing list so you don't miss out!
Download my free Our Community shared reading text.