Welcome to Reading Together!

Reading is one of the most exciting adventures you can take! In this chapter, we are going to explore how we respond (react and join in) when we read books with our teachers and friends. Whether you are just starting to look at picture books or you are beginning to read words on your own, these notes will help you become a confident reader.

What is Shared and Guided Reading?

In the PYP, we often read in two special ways:

1. Shared Reading: This is when the whole class reads a big book or a story together with the teacher. We look at the pictures and the words at the same time.

2. Guided Reading: This is when you work in a small group with a teacher. The teacher helps you practice new skills using a book that is just right for your level.

Note: To learn more about how books work (like how to hold them and where the title is), you can look at the chapter "Concepts of print and how books work."

Phase 1: Starting the Journey

When we first start reading, we focus on the world of the story. Even if we aren't reading every word yet, we are still "reading" the messages in the book!

Responding to Pictures and Stories

In Phase 1, you learn that print represents the real or imagined world. This means the marks on the page tell us about things that are real or things that are made up.

  • Commenting on pictures: Looking at an illustration and talking about what is happening. "I see a big blue elephant!"
  • Distinguishing pictures from text: Knowing that the pictures show the action, while the letters and words tell the story in a different way.
  • Joining in: Participating in fun chants, poems, or word games that your teacher reads aloud.

Feeling for the Characters

A big part of responding to reading is empathy. Empathy means understanding how someone else feels. When you look at a character in a book, you might ask: "Are they happy? Are they sad? How would I feel if that happened to me?"

Quick Review: In Phase 1, we show we are readers by talking about pictures, joining in with songs, and caring about the characters in the story.

Phase 2: Becoming a Reading Detective

In Phase 2, you start to see that language is made of codes and symbols. You begin to use "clues" to understand the story better.

The "Print is Permanent" Rule

Have you ever noticed that your favorite book says the exact same thing every time you read it? That is because print is permanent. The words don't change, which is why we can reread our favorite stories over and over until we know them by heart!

Using Your Reading Cues

When we take part in shared and guided reading, we use different "clues" to help us when we get stuck. Think of yourself as a detective!

  • Meaning Cues: Ask yourself, "Does this make sense with the story?"
  • Visual Cues: Look at the letters and the shapes of the words. Ask, "Does this look right?"
  • Context Cues: Look at the pictures and the other words on the page. Ask, "Does this fit with what is happening?"
  • Memory Cues: Remember if you have seen this word before in another book!

Predicting What Happens Next

In Phase 2, you will start to predict outcomes. This is a fancy way of saying you are making a smart guess about what will happen at the end of the story based on what you have heard so far.

Did you know? Reading environmental print—like the big "M" for McDonald’s or a "STOP" sign—is also a type of reading! It shows you that symbols have meaning everywhere.

Key Skills for Shared and Guided Reading

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to be a great participant during reading time:

Step 1: Listen and Attend. Pay attention to the person reading and the visual information (pictures and words) on the page.

Step 2: Use Basic Conventions. Remember that in English, we read from left to right and top to bottom. (For more on this, check the chapter on "Reading cues, fluency and self-correction").

Step 3: Recognize Words. Look for high-frequency words (words we see a lot, like "the", "and", "is") and high-interest words (exciting words like "dinosaur" or "spaceship").

Step 4: Share Your Ideas. Don't be afraid to express your needs, feelings, and opinions about the book!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring the pictures: Pictures are there to help! If you are stuck on a word, look at the illustration for a clue.
2. Being afraid to guess: Predicting is part of learning. Even if your guess is wrong, it shows you are thinking about the story.
3. Forgetting the "code": Remember that sounds and symbols go together. If you see the letter "B", think about the "b" sound to help you decode the word.

Summary: Your Reading Toolbox

Phase 1 Takeaway: Use pictures to understand the story, show empathy for characters, and enjoy the physical experience of handling books.

Phase 2 Takeaway: Use meaning and visual clues to understand text, recognize that print stays the same, and join in with shared reading by making predictions.

Don't worry if reading feels like a puzzle at first. Every time you share a book with someone else, you are adding another piece to that puzzle!