Using shared reading

Shared reading is useful for

• encouraging prediction in reading
• helping new readers and writers learn about the relationship between print and speech
• informally introducing print conventions
• providing an enjoyable learning experience, and
• teaching sight vocabulary.

The story must have large enough print to be shared with the group.

• Simple stories can be printed on the chalkboard.
• For a small group, a book with large print might be adequate.
• For large groups, stories are normally in the form of Big books or wall charts..

Don Holdaway developed what is known as the shared book method using Big books. The shared reading technique described here is a generalization of Holdaway's method.

Here are some guidelines to follow when you use shared reading:

• Discuss the story and illustrations with the learners

  • prior to reading to build anticipation, or
  • after reading to aid comprehension.
• Have the learners "hum" to get the feel and intonation of the words.
• Read fluently and expressively.

1. Select an interesting story with repetition, or use a favorite story.
2. When introducing a new story, talk about
   • the title
   • the cover illustration, and
   • the kind of story.
3. Read the story to the group, tracking each word with a pointer as you read.
4. Reread the story as a group, encouraging everyone to join in "reading" certain words or phrases as they are able.

Here is a variation of shared reading:

1. Highlight (with a colored marking pen) the repetitive words, repetitive phrases, or sight words that the learners already know.
2. Reread the story several times.
3. Have the learners read the highlighted words or phrases after the second or third reading, while the teacher reads the other words.

• What is the alphabetic principle?

• Holdaway 1980
• Burris, Temple, and Nathan 1988

• Task module: Using shared reading
• In task module: Developing reading skills
• In task module: Developing literacy skills, by Martha A. Lane (contributor), Delle P. Matthews (contributor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), Anne Klaassens (editor), and Trudy K. Stewart (editor, contributor)
• In task module: Teaching people to read and write, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
• In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
• In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 16 March 1999

© 1999 SIL International