When reading a short text in class, it is common for me to read it aloud. To help differentiate the read aloud (and to "up" the engagement), you might just find me reading the text aloud using voices and puppets. Yes, puppets. But mainly the picture on a stick variety. (See above)
Interactive Read Alouds (as they are formally known) are usually something reserved for elementary school. However, they have been proven to be effective with older students through research and trial with students that have low test scores in reading and comprehension. (Krashen, 1993; Trelease, 1995) It's also been proven that students that hear books have a better vocabulary than students who don't.
And by conducting one of these read alouds, you are differentiating the content for your students with special needs or those learning English!
So now I bet you're thinking, "This could work in my classroom! How do I conduct one?"
So now I bet you're thinking, "This could work in my classroom! How do I conduct one?"
Here are the 4 easy steps for a secondary student Interactive Read Aloud:
1. Choose a story that is slightly above the instructional level of the students (so they can get something new out of the experience) that will lend itself to some excellent dramatic moments.
2. Preread and plan the drama (Get those puppets ready!)
3. Stop at appropriate spots to have students retell events and share how they might relate to the events. You could also focus in on pretty much any literature standard and ask students questions related to the standard. This is also where you might use strategies like "Think-Pair-Share" with students as they are answering the questions.
4. Assess. You can do this by evaluating their ability to paraphrase, re-tell events, or answer your standards-based questions.
That sounds pretty easy, right? It is and your students will love it! My puppets from above are for the story "They're Made Out of Meat" by Terry Bisson which I use to teach R.CCR.3: Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
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