Shared Reading Routines for Secondary Emergent Readers
Examples of shared reading routines for secondary emergent readers:
1. Teacher points to words on chart and leads "reading" of chants and songs with small or full group. For example, "show tunes" or popular song lyrics (or just the "chorus"):
(Insert sample charts here)
2. Read large print picture books or projected pages of digital picture books together (commercial or teacher made). Read a page as you point to each word. Invite students to re-read the same page together with you as you point to each word again and "lead" fluent reading with your voice. Re-read some familiar and favorite books together each day. Leave out some key words or ending words or patterns and allow student voices to fill in as you point. An easy teacher made picture book (Powerpoint in digital or print form) might have the following text (one sentence/ page with supporting photos).
Kobe Bryant
Kobe runs.
Kobe jumps.
Kobe passes.
Kobe dribbles.
Kobe shoots.
Kobe scores!
3. Provide individual copies of the same easy pattern text to a pair or small group of students. Preview the book together (e.g., take a "picture walk" and discuss what it may be about, connections to experience or background knowledge, point out and practice a repeating pattern together). "Echo read" each page First the teacher reads a sentence aloud pointing to each word. Students follow and point to each word in their books as you read a page aloud. Then the students read the same page (sentence) aloud with you (echoing), pointing to each word as they read. For emergent readers, choose pattern texts where only one or a few words change each page and the pictures provide clues. Consider (or construct) nonfiction books with photos or realistic pictures. For example an easy picture book might read like this:
Horses
Some horses are fast.
Some horses are strong.
Some horses are tall.
Some horses are short.
Some horses run.
Some horses jump.
4. After reading aloud or shared reading, present the same pattern and invite students to share ideas to construct original pattern sentences. Write each student's sentence on a chart as you read aloud. Point and have students re-read each sentence aloud with you (and previous cumulative sentences). (Post and re-read some of these charts together each day before reading a new book or during opening routine.) For example after a non fiction read aloud about dolphins, the teacher presented an incomplete chart, which individual students contributed responses to.
(Insert sample charts here)
SUGGESTIONS FOR READING MATERIALS:
One of the challenges for working with older emergent readers is finding materials that reflect age appropriate interests and content. Here are a few ideas:
- Utilize more nonfiction picture books or web articles with realistic photos or illustrations (e.g. about science and nature). Newbridge is one publisher with easy nonfiction picture books. (See Discovery Links)
- Construct your own "books" and photo essays, using presentation software such as "Powerpoint" to create digital or printed copies of texts. (Include experience books with photos of students in school or extracurricular activities. One student we know loves his book about The Prom which is based on photos of him and friends at the Junior Prom.)
