What does it look like?

• Teacher provides whole-class explicit instruction while reading a shared text

What does it provide for students?

• Direct instruction in concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary
• Direct instruction in comprehension strategies and skills in a variety of genres
• Access to grade-level curriculum for all students

How is it implemented?

• Introduce the selection to be read
• Identify the strategies or skills to be taught and explain whythey are useful
• Provide a think aloud model that shows when and how to use the strategies or skills in the  shared text
• Provide an opportunity for students to join in the reading and demonstrate the understanding of the strategies or skills

“Shared reading provides opportunities for teachers to model for children how to think as they read.  Participation in shared reading helps build concepts, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies.  There is ‘something for everyone’ in a good shared reading lesson, and consequently, shared reading is one of the most ‘multilevel’ formats.”

• Use informational books, picture books, short stories, newspapers, plays, poetry, chants, novels, textbooks, or periodicals.

• Focus students on the text, usually a big book or an overhead transparency.

• Read the text with fluency and expression. 

• Provide think aloud models to demonstrate how the strategy or skill works.

• Invite students to participate in the reading and thinking process.

• In primary grades, focus on print concepts, fluency, vocabulary and meaning.

• In upper grades, focus on text organization, vocabulary development and strategic reading.