Friday, January 22, 2016

What Is A Read Aloud Think Together

“Read-aloud is much-treasured in most elementary classrooms. This is a time when teachers open windows into the world of mystery, magic, and enormous possibility that resides within the covers of our favorite books.”  - Linda Hoyt
What is Read Aloud Think Together?
o   Text is below, on, or above grade level.
o   Read aloud is built on the gradual release model -- particularly the idea that instruction should begin with explicit modelling.
o   Lessons are carefully constructed so that teachers both read the text and actively support the learning.
o   The teacher reads aloud from a variety of genres and guides the students through the key points of the book as well as higher-level questions.
o   First and foremost, we have to accept that read aloud think together is an instructional setting. Quality storytelling is important, but it should not hinder instruction.
o   Therefore, we identify “key points of the book” not necessarily in terms of the story, but based on our instructional focus on that day.
o   Our TEKS are organized into genre strands.
o   Our curriculum is organized into genre-centered units.
o   As Linda Hoyt says, “While fiction is, of course, wonderful … it isn’t enough.” Through rich text selection “learners begin to understand the distinguishing features of various genres and learn what to expect from each.”
o   Lessons are carefully constructed so that teachers both read the text and actively support the learning.
o   It engages children in the joy of reading and provides them with a model for how to read with expression, intonation and phrasing.
o   Read aloud is built on the gradual release model -- particularly the idea that instruction should begin with explicit modelling.
When do we do read aloud think together?
o   Daily.
o   Notice that in first grade, read aloud think together is a stand-alone instructional component.
o   -It is done in addition to shared reading
How much time should we spend on a read aloud?
o   Read aloud think together typically lasts around 15 minutes.
o   However, consider the additional instructional components in your classroom.
o   Above all, consider the requirements of that day’s lesson and monitor your students.
How do I know which lesson to do and when?
o   Start with the scope and sequence. The TEKS will guide your selection of a target standard.
o   Use read alouds to immerse students in a genre.
o   Later in a unit, use read alouds to address the particular concepts or genre characteristics with which students struggled.
How do I choose the right book for the right lesson?
o   Above all, remember that the book you select must support ...
o   the instructional focus for that day’s lesson
o   moments to stop, think aloud and model
o   higher level questioning
o   invitations for students to share their thinking with partners
Create a Unique Space for your Read Alouds
o   Students typically gather on the floor where it is easy to see the illustrations, listen to the reader and turn and talk to neighbors.
o   The teacher typically sits in a chair and showcases the illustrations so that students can pick up on visual clues.

o   Unlike shared reading, where students need to see the words, enlarged text is not necessary in a read aloud lesson.

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