Due May 9th:
Post on the blog what you see as the differences between traditional read-aloud and interactive read-aloud.
Describe one strategy from the reading assignment that you will be able to implement.
Post your thoughts to what training paraeducators might need to reinforce the strategies listed in Chapter 6.
For me the differences between traditional read-aloud and interactive read-aloud is in intent. My experience has been teachers choose books to read aloud to settle the class and get them ready for the next activity, with some focus on plot, setting, character. It is running to the library, picking up the nearest book and then going back to class, and when kids come in from recess, reading and settling.
ReplyDeleteInteractive read-aloud is selecting for student needs. Using it to get them going and wanting to read and read well. To let them discuss and think within their selves. To demonstrate good interpative reading strategies. To start getting their brains ready to make those choices by themselves.
Personally I don't know how to read without over doing it and involving students. But I need to stop even more to do more pair reading. When it is just student and I then keep going to them for their opinions and reflections first.
I think seeing how to read with students and not just read words will help. I think there could be bullets to have paras do before reading to students. We know we have to read some things to students, why not utilize those opportunities to get them into reading and not just read to.
Suggest list of bullets to do when reading to students and a short video of how to do it correctly and if possible teacher demonstrate it with paras present. It will be a challenge.
I agree with Dot on the difference between a traditional read aloud and interactive read aloud. A traditional one us just for the students to listen to while an interactive one is done in order to get students to participate. I love the interactive read aloud. It can be used to target specific needs or instructional goals. Kids a chance to talk and listen to each other, which is really important. It's great way to monitor their comprehension, strengths and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be very beneficial to teach our paras how to conduct an interactive read aloud. When I have had them do it in the past, I have put sticky notes in the book with questions or had a lesson plan with questions to ask at certain times in the book. I don't mind doing that, especially when there is a specific skill to work on but it would be nice if it could come a little more naturally to them. Most of my paras need help with reading aloud in general and making the book fun.
I like the sticky note thing. I just forget the obvious at times.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Rae Lynn and Dot says on the read alouds. Traditional is for the students to listen to while an Interactive read aloud is for the students to listen and participate in. I like the interactive read aloud the best. I feel that this helps the kids better understand the story. I do feel this is something our paras need to know to help our students better understand what they are reading. I too like Rae Lynn use post-it notes to write the questions down that I would like asked. I also plan out their activities I want the students to do.Most times I sit down with my para and go over what I am asking them to do so we can get questions asked and answered before they have to work with the students.
ReplyDeleteI like the sticky note idea as well. If it is from your personal library you can even laminate a small piece of card stock and tape it inside so you always have the questions right there. I have seen many kindergarten teachers do this so they aren't referring back to a manual to find the questions.
ReplyDeleteTraditional read aloud is not typically interactive. When I hear this term I think of a teacher reading to a group of students while many students are seated with hands raised just dying to ask questions or comment on pictures. The students really do desire for the read aloud to be interactive. Great teachers can't read aloud without allowing interaction to happen. Interactive read aloud consists of student participation prior to even reading the first page of the book. Teachers choose the text because it relates in some way to whaty they are studying. It is intentionally chosen to challenge higher level thinking skills in students. A good curriculum will have examples of questions that can be asked throughout a story. A great teacher expands these questions and tailors them to fit his or her class.
ReplyDeleteI agree that paraeducators tend to struggle with the skills it takes to carry out an interactive read aloud. Dot's idea is great to create a bulleted list for paras. Sticky notes are a great idea too. I like to have paras watch a teacher do an interactive read aloud and then discuss it with them. I think a lot can be learned from watching.
Teresa
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea about laminating card stock and taping into the book. You had a wonderful way of explaining a traditional read aloud. I agree that great teachers can't read aloud with allowing interaction. If teachers expect learning to happen then we have to allow students to interact and talk with each other to figure things out.
I think the key to the read aloud is in this quote from the chapter "An effective interactive read-aloud has children talking before, during and after reading. With children discussing a book inside and out it just helps to make the meaning of the book come alive for the students. I think interactive read aloud is more meaningful to students than just the traditional read aloud. For me, it is hard to implement a read aloud time during my class. I have such limited time with my students.
ReplyDeleteParas should be trained that it is OK to talk during a read aloud. If a student is discussing the book with someone else then they can better understand it.
I think an important thing to remember during read alouds is to pause and NOT ask questions, but just to let them discuss for a minute, just provide the topic (it's interesting that we think these characters are brothers) but let them discuss without feeling the pressure of giving an out loud answer.
ReplyDeleteAlso.... the KERC link from High Plains reading resources links has a resource called "100 picture books everyone should know." IT's pretty good.
ReplyDelete