Shared Reading: An Interactive Reading Experience

I love when a book causes students to be on the edge of their seats.  The novel, Eleven, by Tom Rogers doesn't disappoint. It does just that and so much more. 

We're using this novel for our first shared reading experience. This collaborative reading approach engages students and makes them better readers by demonstrating the skills of a proficient reader, modeling fluency, interpreting visual information in texts, introducing and reinforcing print conventions and mechanics, and activating the brain and creating connections for memory.  Just as important, this approach conveys an authentic joy of reading and motivates students to READ. It affords students the ability to share the reading experience with one another and discuss aspects of the story that might be confusing, poignant, relatable, that present opportunities to infer meaning, etc., thus creating a community of critical thinkers. This approach is a win for EVERY student. 

Our recent experience with this novel involved a literacy activity enthusiastically referred to as "Table-Top Twitter".  During this activity, students are presented with questions that require students to dig deep and think critically about the text, using evidence from the text to support their thinking. Collaboration occurs when students read and respond to one another's comments and responses, expanding on their own ideas and ways of thinking. They are learning the value of varying perspectives and how they help us evolve into global-minded thinkers, broadening our view of the world.  Who knew that a few sheets of butcher paper and some markers could elicit this much engagement and so much deep thinking. #keepitsimple

Read, write, discuss, collaborate. Repeat.

Sources:

Eggleton, Jill. “Why Is Shared Reading Important?” Where Teachers Go To Grow, blog.abramslearningtrends.com/k5/why-is-shared-reading-important.

“Shared Reading  .” Classroom Rewards Reap Dividends for Teachers and Students | Education World, www.educationworld.com/a_curr/strategy/strategy008.shtml.