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a High School English Teacher
I’m a 7th grade ELA teacher in Texas!
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I have them read aloud within small groups before doing whole group. With a partner or group of 4, it’s a lot less intimidating.
I don’t do it. I find that at the high school level students call on their friends and many students who can’t read get embarrassed. Half the time, students who call on others spend time jawing back and forth and I have to shut that down to get back on track.
What I have found useful is reading the work out loud myself, with students following along with a pen/pencil in hand. As I read, I stop and explain and I can quickly tell students to put a mark beside a word or paragraph for later discussion. This way, I can model fluency, how to interact with stories, etc. Students also stay more engaged as I change voice, stop and talk, etc. Sometimes, if there’s another adult or a really good reader in class and a lot of dialogue in a story, we read the story as a pair with one person taking each part. The kids really like that.
I just have never had luck with popcorn reading; a good reader keeps kids engaged more than the threat that they may be called on next. The fear that they may be called on sends some kids’ anxiety through the roof and they are not paying attention to the work.
I think it helps everyone feel a sense of engagement. On demand tasks help students feel a sense of urgency and purpose in class and learning.
I offer an extra credit or "discount" on some other assignment and students volunteer to read all the time. It is pretty much a norm. No pressure.
I offer an extra credit or "discount" on some other assignment and students volunteer to read all the time. It is pretty much a norm. No pressure.
There is only one student reading when you do this. It is same for down the line. If your goal is to improve reading skills, it is ineffective. If it is not your goal, just read it to them. Comando style where pop corn is used to pick on poor readers is very detrimental.
Use pair reading, small group, book journals. Chunk it. Have them read on a generous timer..do think pair share questions. There are many alternatives.