Interactive Read Aloud

Thinking and Talking, Within, Beyond, and About the Text

Sarah Toa, MENA Conference, Dubai, October 2015

Interactive Read Aloud

What is interactive read aloud?

What are the benefits (for older students too)?

Discuss think and talk strategies

What are some ways that we can use it?

Types of Read Aloud

Story time

Shared reading

Interactive read aloud with accountable talk

Balanced Literacy

WHAT

MODEL

Reading behaviours and reading strategies.

Variety of genres and literary styles

How to think and discuss text

Aligns with your reading units

WHY

The backbone of your reading units

Comprehension, reading, speaking and listening

Model all of what proficient readers do

A time to enjoy quality literature together

Common Core Standards

Reading

Speaking and Listening

Language

Accountable Talk Does Not Occur NaturallyTEACHER’S ROLE

Gradual release of responsibility

Thinking aloud

Modeling how to talk

Higher order critical thinking

Accountable Talk Does Not Occur NaturallySTUDENTS

held accountable to think

interact

show their thinking

justify their thinking

clarify

Questions

Asking More Open-Ended Questions will NOT Change

the Quality of Children’s Thinking

if They Continue to Think There is Only One

Correct Answer

(Hidden in the Teacher’s Head) Debra Myhill

Model Think Aloud

When you read and teach,

make your thinking visible;

show students what you are thinking about

and how you got there!

Examples of Accountable Talk PromptsMEANING

What was the most important event of the story so far?

Did that make sense?

MEANING

A lot has happened so far. Turn and talk to your partner about the what’s been happening so far.

Wait! This doesn’t make sense. I’m going to reread this part to try to figure it out.

Examples of Accountable Talk PromptsENVISIONING

What does the character look like?

ENVISIONING

I’m picturing the character right now, and I’m imagining how she looks moves/sounds, etc

Imagine with your partner what the character looks like when she says that…

Examples of Accountable Talk PromptsINFERRING

What does the character look like?

INFERRING

I’m picturing the character right now, and I’m imagining how she looks moves/sounds, etc

Imagine with your partner what the character looks like when she says that…

Examples of Accountable Talk PromptsCRITIQUING

Is that realistic?

CRITIQUING

Wait a minute…this part leads me to think that… but that’s a stereotype!

When I read this, I’m wondering what this character’s point of view is about the situation…

Showing Thinking

TURN & TALKALL students voice their thoughts Teacher as a facilitator

STOP & JOT (G2 and up)Key idea QuestionConcept

Regular conversations

Start short

ALL students talk over time

Encourage independence from teacher

Whole Class Conversation

Choose great literature carefully

Choose skills to emphasise

Plan for whole class conversations

Plan for writing about reading

Planning A Read Aloud

Planning takes TIME

Select stopping points

Model + practice (I do-you do)

Chart any work you do

Planning A Read Aloud

Good title for:

Launching Reading Workshop

Character Unit

Social Issues Book Clubs

Social Studies: Building Society/Rules

Read Aloud: Naked Mole Rat

Summarize Key Points

Add your own thoughts

Pose clarifying questions

How might you plan for read aloud with accountable talk?

What are some ways you could fit this into the day?

Groups of 3-5

Read aloud often

Choose your text deliberately

Pre-read the text and have a plan

Establish partnerships

Model thinking and partner talk

Limit the number of interruptions

Helpful Hints

Interactive Read Aloud: Check OutWhat is an A-ha moment for you?

What will you try that is new?

Have some fun!