Key Issues in Read Aloud for Early Elementary Students’ Reading Comprehension Casey S. Allison College of Education West Liberty University United States

* Read aloud is when children listen to an adult read different types and genres of text and engage in talking about the book together * Trelease (2006) refers to read aloud as "advertising" a commercial for the fun you can have while reading

44% of all US adults do not even read one book per year How can our children be expected to like reading if their parents don’t? Children in strong kindergarten read aloud programs out performed other students through higher grades (Ventress, 2011)

*Reading aloud to children is one of the most important things you can do to ensure their future success. * Research indicates that reading aloud to children helps them develop an interest in reading on their own as well as build vocabulary and comprehension.

Can you think back to when you were a child? Did you enjoy being read to? Did you enjoy reading to others?

Motivating students to read is sometimes difficult. Some skills to tips in mind when reading to children Do a picture walk/let them make predictions Correct or confirm these predictions while reading Describe the illustrations and point out key details Have them imagine themselves in the story Repeat any confusing wording or sarcasm.

Ecroyd (1991) found that when she read to her students they were very eager to listen. They asked questions like, "Are you reading today?" "Let's read first" and "Don't stop now- read more."

Please Take Some Time To Watch! /read-aloud/practice-in-action/

Vanderham (2012) confirmed read aloud's positive effects. Her students were much more interested in reading than ever before. "How do you feel about reading for fun at home?” -58% before 75% after 17% gain “How do you feel about spending free time reading?” -33% before 75% after 42% gain. "How do you feel about reading instead of playing?“ -8% before 33% after 25% gain.

Trelease (2006) explained how children can listen to a higher reading level and comprehend than they can actually read themselves. Students become preoccupied identifying words and trying to pronounce them rather than interpreting the meaning of the words The more familiar the child becomes with hearing the words, the more natural it will be when they have to read it themselves because they are familiar. "..the adult is pouring sounds and syllables called words into the child's ear." -Trelease

Trelease (2009) says, "Students who read the most, read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest, and conversely, those who don't read much cannot get better at it"(p.22). Here is the link to the Prezi for our blog posting! Read Aloud Handbook