Why Is It Important To Read Aloud

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While reading this book I made numerous connections to my own experiences as a student and classroom teacher. The importance Calkins places on reading aloud throughout the reading workshop brought happiness to my heart. Reading aloud remains one of the most valuable aspects in my own classroom because of the memories I have of my own teachers reading books and bringing them to life when I was a student. Reading workshop passionately encourages teachers reading aloud by bringing in mentor texts during the mini-lesson so students can see the teacher interacting with the story and guiding students to comprehend the skill or strategy being taught. Calkins (2010) identifies the read aloud as “the lifeblood of the reading workshop” (p. 79). It also recommends adding more read aloud time outside of the workshop to spark whole-class conversations and possibly ignite students’ love for certain genres and or particular …show more content…
Her belief in self-expression as a key to learning extends to reading: children develop a passion for reading when they are given freedom to choose books that are meaningful to them (p. 28). I find this attractive because all students learn differently and I think giving them choice helps them facilitate their own learning with teaching coaching and guidance being provided as needed. When done right, independent reading can be very beneficial. By looking closely at what your students need based on their strengths and weaknesses and guiding them to choose their own informational text and literature you are giving them a tool they will most definitely use in the future. “Fans of the reading workshop say that assignment books leaves many children bored or unable to understand the texts. Letting students choose their own books, they say, can help to build a lifelong love of reading” (Rich, 2009, p.