I frequently get asked, “How is shared reading different from a readaloud?”
And that’s definitely a valid question! In both reading activities, we share and discuss a text with students.
However, these two activities look a bit different from each other, and we typically have different purposes for using them. So in today’s quick post, I’ll explain the differences between shared reading and a readaloud!
Photo Credits: Billion Photos, Shutterstock
In a nutshell, during a readaloud, you read a book TO students, and during shared reading, you read WITH students.
We typically use more challenging texts for readalouds (great for teaching vocabulary and working on higher level thinking skills). For shared reading, we choose books that are a bit closer to students’ reading levels (because they are actively participating, reading along with you, finding words in the text, etc.).
If you’re thinking about the gradual release of responsibility, a readaloud is more teacher-driven and involves more teacher modeling, and shared reading requires more active involvement of students.
Check out this graphic I created for more details:
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Happy teaching!
References
Burkins, J., & Yaris, K. (2016). Who’s Doing the Work? How To Say Less So Readers Can Do More. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.
Fountas, I., & Pinnell, G. S. (2016). The Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Continuum: Expanded Edition. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Parkes, B. (2000). Read it again!: Revisiting shared reading. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.
Thanks Alison! This really helped clarify some things for me!
I’m so glad! Thanks for reading!! 🙂
Alison
This is a great quick description. This needs to be spread everywhere. I am currently doing my masters in language and literacy and this was a big topic.
I’m so glad this was helpful!! Thanks for reading!
Alison
Thanks! I took a screen shot to print and keep!
So glad it was helpful, Lori! 🙂
Alison
Alison, I appreciate your knowledge and wonderful products. Thank you. I have a question. A coworker thinks that having students practice a book at home and then reading it to the class is shared reading. Is that correct? Also what is the difference between shared reading and guided reading? Thank you.
Hi! That does not fit with my understanding of shared reading, no. This post might be helpful to share with her! https://learningattheprimarypond.com/blog/what-is-shared-reading-and-why-is-it-so-important/
Guided reading is done with texts that are a little bit easier than shared reading. In guided reading, students do more of the work – we “pull back” and provide less support than we do during shared reading.
I hope this helps! 🙂
Alison
Thanks so much. I love the chart visual. Where do you find your resources to pull books for your IRA and shared reading? How do you find books on similar topics, but at different levels, to pair?
Hey Emily! The Booksource website and Scholastic Book Wizard sites have search engines that allow you to search by level – they’re awesome! 🙂
Alison
I am getting confused with reading workshop and shared reading. I am looking at both your products in TPT and not sure if you do do both each day. Can you do shared reading, have students apply skill to their independent reading while doing guided reading groups. I teach second grade. Thanks. I cant find the difference between reading workshop and shared reading on an internet search. Thanks
Hi Deborah! For shared reading and reading workshop, you can make your reading “minilesson” part of your shared reading. And then the kids read independently to apply it (while you’re pulling guided reading groups, as you mentioned).
As far as guided reading goes, it’s different from shared reading because the kids are doing the reading, not you (although you may help at times). Here’s a post that explains more about guided reading: https://learningattheprimarypond.com/blog/what-are-the-components-of-a-guided-reading-lesson-in-a-kindergarten-first-or-second-grade-classroom/
I hope this helps!
Alison
very useful! Thank you!
Glad it helped!