Find out how read alouds can promote reading comprehension, boost vocabulary skills and more!
Read alouds are so much more than a fun classroom activity. From cognitive benefits to fostering a love of books, they play a key role in any student’s learning journey. And if you thought they were only for younger students, think again! Upper elementary, middle school or even high school students can benefit from reading aloud.
Let’s dive into some of the benefits!
1. Promote Reading Comprehension
During read alouds, teachers get the chance to bring stories to life through intonation, expression and even character voices! This helps students follow along and stay engaged. If you can, make time for discussion after the story to further develop students’ interest and understanding of the material. As they get more exposure to read alouds, students learn to sit still and stay focused for longer—a benefit during reading time and beyond!
2. Boost Vocabulary Skills
When they’re reading independently, students may get stuck on words they don’t know. They might skip the word entirely or worse, get discouraged and stop reading. That’s where read alouds can make all the difference! As students listen to a captivating story read out loud, they get to hear unfamiliar words in context. They learn the pronunciation and meaning of these words, all with minimal effort.
3. Build Reading Fluency
Reading fluency is the ability to read with the appropriate phrasing, intonation and pacing. It’s the difference between reading that is stilted and difficult to follow, and reading that flows smoothly and is pleasant to listen to. It takes time for new readers to gain reading fluency—speed, comprehension, word recognition and even confidence all play a role. Read alouds can help, too, by modeling reading fluency, and demonstrating what reading should sound like.
4. Encourage Critical Thinking
All reading promotes critical thinking skills. What’s unique about read alouds is the opportunity for you to guide students to think critically about the text—either as breaks during the reading session or at the end. Ask open-ended questions, like “Why did that character make that choice?” Or “What do you think they’ll do next?” Invite students to compare and contrast characters, settings and themes. Evaluate the ending together or discuss the overall message of the story. All of this helps students make connections, analyze information and draw reasoned conclusions.
5. Inspire a Love of Books
Reading can be intimidating—especially when students are just getting started, or when a book is beyond their ability level. Read alouds take the pressure off, giving kids the chance to enjoy stories they might not get to experience otherwise. Whether it’s a chapter book you read together over time or a picture book you start and finish in one session, read alouds can be something the whole class looks forward to. All it takes is one book to change a students’ mind about reading!
Ready to choose a book for your next classroom read aloud? Check out our list of best read-aloud books for kids! Remember, you can access over 20,000 books on Epic for free during the school day with Epic School. If you want 24/7 access to over 40,000 books, tell your administrator about Epic School Plus—it’s our newest offering paid for by schools and districts.
Happy reading!
