Sarah's Blog Post

Can you spot the differences between these pictures?

SHARED READING
1 adult reads to large(r) group
Teacher has the only copy of the text
Children sit in rows
The children sit and listen to the text
Seeing and talking about the book is more difficult
for the students
The teacher takes the lead in reading and
discussion, including asking questions and the pace
Less inclusive of those with learning differences,
because participation relies on good verbal skills
The purpose is typically on completion of the text or
to teach skills or content

DIALOGIC READING
1 adult reads to a small(er) group
Each person has a copy of the text
Seating is in a semi- circle
The children sit and discuss the book
Everyone can see and talk about the book
The children control what is talked about or
read; ask the questions; and the pace
More inclusive as it allows for other types of
responses, such as pointing, looking, or the
use of AAC devices.
The purpose is to enjoy the experience, build
oral language and literacy skills


While both of these have a place in our Early Elementary classrooms, we maybe less familiar with the second
method, so let’s look at how this works:

GETTING YOUR CAR STARTED:
Think of the way you read to your own children when they were preschoolers, sitting on your lap.
1) Choose your book - any type of text that interests your group of students - Yes! This works equally well
with fiction, informational, poetry, alphabet and even picture books.
2) Obtain a copy for all, if possible - you can use big books or your document viewer and smart board, in a
pinch, but it is not ideal.
3) Assemble you group in a semi-circle, and give them the book. Allow them to interact with the text on
their own for a couple of minutes.
4) Observe your students, noting what they are attending to, then…
5) Begin to Read, by following the C-A-R:
C= COMMENT on what one child is looking at
A= ASK a question about the page one child is looking at
R = respond and add more information-e.g. if a child says “ Dog”, you can “ Yes a little yellow dog.”
Repeat this for all the children in the group, and or allow them to make comments and ask questions about
what the others say.
6) Wait at least 5 seconds, when expecting a response, or even longer for those with communication
challenges.
7) Model ways to respond - you can point to the pictures or text; use a Communication Device to ask a
question; make a comment yourself; “ Oh, I see…..;” or ask a question, by saying: “ I have a question…!”
This is important so that all children learn they can participate in this activity, in these ways.
8) Allow the children to take the lead - it does not matter whether you complete the book or even look at all
the pages! Talk about whatever page they are on, and whatever they show an interest in. In a group, you will
have to make sure everyone is on the same page, to encourage a group discussion.

PLACES TO STOP FOR MORE INFORMATION :
1) The School of Education at UNC- CHAPEL HILL has many resource and tips for working with students with
special needs:
https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/files/early-childhood-resources
https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/files/early-childhood-resources/LiteratureDevLevel.pdf/view
https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/files/early-childhood-resources/early%20literacy%20resource%20list.pdf/
view
2) To see this in action -
http://dialogic-reading.blogspot.com/ - videos for strategy in action and resources for parents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34lojHNdqLo - videos of parents and teachers using it as well as
explanations about the method.
3) https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED469671.pdf - A guide to using the Method, to accompany caregiver
training videos, which I cannot find on the Web!
4) http://www.ciera.org/library/reports/inquiry-2/2-004/2-004.pdf - see appendix for an assessment protocol for
you to use in the classroom on yourself or a colleague; or to help with parental training
5) http://archive.brookespublishing.com/newsletters/downloads/11Tips.pdf - Tips on how to used shared
Reading
6) youtellmestories.org - link to app for iPhone or iPad that allows adults to record themselves reading to
children and provides tips for the adults on questions to ask etc.
7) https://raisingareaderma.org/program/dialogic-reading/ - charts providing information about CROWD and
another set of questions - PEER - to use when reading with young children.
8) https://www.slideshare.net/Jane_Farrall/aac-literacy-handout - clear explanation of CROWD in the CAR and
using them with children using Augmentative Communication Devices.
I hope you will try this strategy and let me know how you get on!