Read Aloud to Boost Comprehension

Read Aloud to Boost Comprehension

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi December 8, 2023 Duration: 54:43

Mary and Shannon chat with Dr. Molly Ness about her new book Read Alouds for All Learners.   Molly shares how teachers should intentionally plan their read alouds, with thought put into the vocabulary instruction, the purpose for reading, the think aloud process, and engagement and extension activities for students after reading. Listen to this episode for TONS of ideas from our guest about how to get the most learning out of your read aloud experiences.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES AND ONES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE

  1. Reading Rockets:  Reading Aloud to Build Comprehension
  2. Reading Rockets:   Vocabulary Development During Read Alouds
  3. ASCD:   The Hidden Power of Read Alouds
  4. Scholastic:   5 Easy Skills to Teach Kids During Read-Alouds
  5. Read Write Think:    Teacher Read-Aloud that Models Reading for Deep Understanding
  6. Cox Campus:  Meaningful Read Alouds for Vocabulary and Oral Language Comprehension
  7. Read Alouds for All Learners:  A Comprehensive Plan for Every Subject, Every Day, Grades PreK-8 (Learn the step-by-step instructional plan for Read Alouds for All Learners) by Molly Ness * Amazon affiliate link
  8. Think Big with Think Alouds: A Three-Step Planning Process That Develops Strategic Readers by Molly Ness *Amazon affiliate link
  9. Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall *Amazon affiliate link
  10. The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game by Nancy Churnin *Amazon affiliate link
  11. The Decline by Nine (Scholastic Reads Podcast)
  12. End Book Deserts (Podcast by Molly Ness)
  13. Website for Molly Ness
  14. Contact Molly on Twitter
  15. Contact Molly on IG

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In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Shared Reading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
Shannon and Mary discuss another pillar in the Balanced Literacy Series: Shared Reading. Shared reading is interactive reading with teacher guided support. This is essential for helping struggling readers build their flu…
Reading Wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:30
Shannon and Mary talk about the recent discussions in the news and educational circles related to the reading wars. Additionally, based on listener questions, they recommend some resources for teachers who want to implem…
Balanced Literacy versus Structured Literacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:41
Mary describes the differences between Balanced Literacy vs. Structured Literacy.We have been doing a series on Balanced Literacy which might confuse some of our listeners. RTL wants to bring best practices to our conver…
Independent Reading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:29
Shannon and Mary continue the conversation about balanced literacy elements by discussing supporting students' independent reading in the classroom and at home. They share ideas about goal setting, making time for readin…
Read Aloud [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:04
Shannon and Mary share their tips and tricks for one of the most enjoyable experiences of reading with young readers: Read Aloud! We share professional resources, essential tips for working with struggling readers, and h…
Guided Reading [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
Shannon shares how guided reading groups are the non-negotiable element in her daily classroom. In this episode Mary and Shannon weigh in on the importance and power of small group teaching of guided reading.Resource Lin…
Alphabetic Principle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:46
Mary discusses the concept of alphabetic principle and strategies for teaching blending. Resource Links:NOTE: As an Amazon Associate program, we earn a small amount from your qualifying purchases. We'd appreciate if you…
More Listener Questions Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
Great news! Shannon is here to help address more listener questions about Lucy Calkins, comprehension strategies and professional development for reading specialists.Resource Links:NOTE: As an Amazon Associate program, w…
Kids Who Fly Under the Radar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:07
Mary discusses a student she is working with who flies under the radar in his general education classroom. In this discussion, she poses the question "Who are kids who fly under the radar? How can we better address their…
Listener Questions Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:57
Mary responds to listener questions about time management and the components of a tutoring session. Resource Links:OG Drill informationI <3 Emily Gibbon's materials at The Literacy NestOur episode on Executive Functionin…