What is the role of shared reading in the classroom?

The role of shared reading in the classroom is fundamentally about engaging students interactively with texts. This instructional strategy involves a teacher reading a text aloud while students follow along, which allows them to experience the joys of reading together. In this setting, students can observe fluent reading, hear the nuances of language, and participate in discussions about the text, fostering both comprehension and a love for reading. Shared reading promotes collaborative learning, where students can share insights, ask questions, and connect with the material, making it an effective way to develop critical literacy skills in a supportive environment. Through this interaction, learners can also model their own reading behavior after the teacher, helping to facilitate their growth as readers.