Shared reading is the instructional practice of reading with students. Shared reading is a key component in a balanced literacy program. Shared reading can be described as an interactive reading experience that occurs when children join in the reading of a big book, chart, poem, song, or other enlarged text.

Shared reading is an invaluable component of the literacy block because it invites students of varying abilities to participate in the reading experience. The reading process and the use of reading strategies are demonstrated by the teacher explicitly through shared reading. Shared reading, for example, provides excellent opportunities to demonstrate concepts about print and features of books, reinforce language and word study, teach high frequency words and conventions in context, create a body of known texts children can reread, and model think aloud and comprehension strategies.

A key reason for conducting shared reading is that children learn to perceive themselves as readers in a risk-free environment and to enjoy the reading experience.

Sample Shared Reading Planning Sheet

 

Allen, J. (2002). On the Same Page. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.

Fischer, B. & E. (2000). Perspectives on Shared Reading. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Parkes, B. (2000). Read It Again! Portland, ME: Stenhouse.