Shared interactive book reading (SIBR) is a broad term used to describe the act of adults reading aloud to children, while encouraging interaction by asking questions and engaging in a discussion about the book. SIBR can be used to embed naturalistic communication teaching strategies, creating learning opportunities to promote a child's language…

Gender identity is influenced by a variety of characteristics, including race, social class, sexual orientation, language, and gender. This article explores the importance of critical literacy, critical pedagogy, and the influence on identity development. Furthermore, it seeks to provide practitioners and teacher educators with an understanding of…

Research indicates that reading aloud to children, a key activity in early childhood classrooms, can result in improved reading comprehension, decoding skills, and language skills. Suggestions are presented for using this technique in elementary classrooms. (CB)

Presents five ideas for helping second through fifth graders make important gains in reading fluency, including: model fluent reading; do repeated readings in class; promote phrased reading in class; enlist tutors to help out; and have a reader's theater in class. A sidebar offers poetry books for repeated and phrased readings. (SM)

A children's poet offers suggestions to overcome the reluctance to read poetry, teach the difference between poetry and prose, help children follow their natural instincts, enjoy poetry, and share it with others. (MT)

New research shows that certain conditions surrounding read-alouds will ensure the greatest benefits. Suggestions for getting the most out of reading aloud include: engage students' interests; make sure the books are at the right difficulty level; spend an appropriate amount of time on reading aloud; offer a range of materials to read aloud; and…

Discusses the development of the market for books for infants; presents reasons why even young infants can benefit from being read to; and provides guidelines for selection of appropriate books for babies. The guidelines include sturdiness and developmental appropriateness. A list of recommended books is appended. (SKC)

The article describes an elementary school's "celebrity reader" program, where students invite representatives of various professions to visit their class and read one of their favorite stories. Suggestions are presented for identifying and inviting guest readers and follow-up activities. (CB)

Reading aloud is an essential part of the classroom instructional program, along with direct instruction and sustained silent reading or book contact, and should not be slighted despite the numerous time demands from other sources. Reading aloud to children provides opportunities for introducing children to good literature and encourages language…

Presents a summary of practical experiences with oral reading in a format that gives insights into why listening to children read empathetically is important. Offers guidelines on how to organize and use such a process. (FL)

Written for adults who wish to read to children and children able to read on their own, this book presents an edited version of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." The book includes selections of the original text of the play, prose passages explaining what occurs between selections of the play, numerous full-page illustrations,…

Prompted by the fact that short and interesting materials suitable for reading aloud to secondary school students are difficult to find, a survey was conducted to compile a list of such materials for dissemination. The 260 respondents included secondary school teachers in all curriculum areas. Results indicated that half the respondents read…

Argues that choral reading of poetry can help children develop fluency in reading and offers some techniques and some poems for use in choral reading. (FL)

This book shows middle school and high school classroom teachers how read-aloud excerpts from a variety of genres can be used in the content areas. The book aims to promote students' motivation to read and further study. It offers teaching ideas for special populations such as adult beginning readers and readers with disabilities. The book…

The most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children at home and in the classroom. At school, reading aloud is important for starting the day, presenting reading and writing mini-lessons, supporting social studies and science curricula, supporting whole-class book studies, and…