Focusing on Read Alouds: K-3 Literacy Essentials

Written by: Christi Gilbert, Literacy Coach/Kent ISD

Essential #2 states: “Read Alouds of age-appropriate books and other materials, print or digital”

Why read alouds?

There is a STRONG research consensus that supports literacy development through read alouds. Children learn about reading and writing from read alouds. They also increase their vocabulary hearing new words during a read aloud.

But, our reality:

Tanya Wright, a lead researcher with the Literacy Essentials, did a study on read alouds.  She visited four classrooms  and conducted over 55 visits. Throughout those visits she noticed two important things:

1. Read alouds of literature happened 8.36 minutes per day
2. Read alouds of informational text happened 1.36 minutes per day

Uh oh.  There is a mismatch between what we SHOULD be doing, and what we ARE doing.  

How can we change this?

Read alouds can happen throughout the day, not just during literacy time.  They can happen in any content area. You can read during a science lesson or even specials times (i.e. Art, Music, P.E., etc.) Get creative. Read alouds need to be a “MUST” priority, not a “if I get to it” priority.

What makes a good read aloud?  

Read alouds should include:

• Sets of texts
• Modeling fluency
• Child-friendly explanations of words within the text
• Higher order discussion
• Embedded instructional strategies.

What might this look like?

The literacyessentials.org website has some well done, high quality classroom videos of each of the above bullet points.  

Here is an example: 

You can also find great science ideas on this google doc:  click here for the NGSS Text Sets by Grade Level and Standard.

What can YOU do?

• What are you currently doing in your classroom for read alouds?  
• How many minutes per day do you spend on this critical component of literacy instruction?
• What might you tweak in order to make space in your day for intentional read alouds?  In which subject area(s) might you be able to embed a read aloud?
• Which of the above practices might you want to focus on in your own practice?

The Kent ISD early literacy coaches are also offering an AMAZING opportunity to see high quality read alouds in action, in real classrooms, right here in Kent County!  Check out the link to learn more: bit.ly/essentialsinaction

This blog post was written by Christi Gilbert, Literacy Coach at Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Development Coordinator at Kent ISD.