Shared Reading with Target Practice Readers

Shared reading is a powerful instructional strategy that allows teachers to engage a larger group of students in a reading experience. With Target Practice Readers (TPRs), shared reading can help reinforce phonics skills in an interactive and collaborative way. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to use TPRs in shared reading sessions and why this method is beneficial for young readers.

What is Shared Reading? 
Shared reading involves reading a text aloud to and with a group of students, often a whole class or half-class, while encouraging them to participate by following along, answering questions, and discussing the text. Unlike group guided reading, shared reading is designed for larger groups and emphasises participation and interaction.

Using TPRs in Shared Reading

1. Read Aloud with the Class: During shared reading, the teacher typically reads the text aloud while students follow along or teacher and students read aloud chorally (altogether at the same time). With TPRs, you can project the e-book version on an interactive whiteboard and provide printed copies for each pair of students to share. As you read together, model blending and decoding for the students, emphasising the target letter-sounds featured in the TPR.
2. Encourage Student Participation: Shared reading should be an interactive experience. Ask students to read along with you, either individually or as a class. Encourage them to blend sounds and decode words aloud. You can also pause periodically to ask comprehension questions, check for understanding of the phonics skills being used, or have students predict what will happen next in the story.
3. Use Visual Cues: One of the advantages of using TPRs in shared reading is that you can take advantage of visual cues, such as the illustrations in the book or highlighting specific words on the board. Point out key sounds, blends, and words as you read, helping students make connections between the sounds they are learning and the words they are reading.
4. Make It Engaging: Shared reading sessions should be lively and engaging. Use different voices for characters, add dramatic pauses, and encourage students to participate enthusiastically. The more fun and interactive the session is, the more likely students are to stay engaged and retain the phonics skills they’re practicing.
5. Follow Up with Group or Individual Practice: After the shared reading session, provide opportunities for students to practice the skills they’ve just learned. You can break the class into smaller groups for further guided reading with the same TPR or assign independent reading time with the book. This follow-up helps reinforce the phonics knowledge and comprehension skills introduced during shared reading.

Shared reading with Target Practice Readers allows teachers to engage larger groups of students in a collaborative and interactive reading experience. By modeling decoding, encouraging participation, and using visual cues, you can help students reinforce essential phonics skills while fostering a love for reading. Incorporate TPRs into your shared reading routine to support your students' phonics development in a fun and effective way.