Shared reading provides students with opportunities to behave like readers and to engage in rich conversations about texts that they are initially not able to read for themselves. It encourages enthusiasm for and enjoyment of reading, builds knowledge, strengthens comprehension, and fosters understanding of the features of a wide range of texts (including narrative, poetry, and non-fiction).

Shared reading involves multiple readings of a text, led by the teacher, with increasing interaction and participation by students. After many shared reading sessions, students become able to read, with increasing independence, the small books that accompany the big books (for Year 1-4 students).

• Shared Reading is usually a whole class lesson (but can also be done in small groups).

• All students must be able to see the text, which is usually enlarged.

• The teacher leads the reading and models what fluent readers do.

• Four or five 10-20 minute sessions a week.

• Enables students to make meaning of texts that are too challenging for guided or independent reading.

• Years 1-4 may eventually read along aloud with the teacher when reading a big book or poem.

• Text may be enlarged, a big book, or their own printed copy.

• A wide variety of text types should be selected to suit different learning purposes: could be integrated with other Curriculum areas.

• The same text can be used several times (for example, for an entire week) with a different focus each time.

Resources