A reading practice I have recently started including in my classroom is 'choral reading' this has been a change for me as I have increased my knowledge around recent reading pedagogy, in particular structured literacy.
Choral reading not to be confused with 'round-robin' reading where children each take turns reading a certain part of a text, has already been a game changer.
For Choral reading you need:
- A text at the level of most of your readers. I have been using our local NZ structured literacy books with an occasional low levelled reader usually with a lot of rhyme. Don't let the word 'readers' think that this techniques is only for big classes, my core group is two children!
- A copy available for every learner. We are using an old school OHP but you can use a book or books too!
How to do choral reading
Choral Reading is short and sharp which really matches with Montessori. Once we got established my choral reading sessions last no longer than about 6 minutes.
The first time doing the text the teacher reads through the text, allowing the children to listen to the text and follow along.
The second and third readings the children join in reading the text with the teacher, everyone reads outloud at the same time.
In my version of reading I underline any spelling/phonics patterns that may be slightly tricky or have recently been introduced to the students.
I currently have a collection of 10 choral reading pieces which we rotate through. We read two pieces a day. Each piece is around 60-80 words.
How does it help?
Choral reading provides a model of fluent reading for all learners. It helps children hear correct prosody so that children know what words in speech marks or before a question mark sound like when read with correct intonation.
It helps children with sight words and with reading phonetic spelling patterns in context.
Anecdotally I have also noticed that the repeated readings of text help with comprehension skills.
If you are looking for academic evidence to support Choral reading this is one such piece.
How does this work in a Montessori classroom
The choral reading lessons are short and with a few students at a time at a level that meets their need.
The OHP is in the language area and students can independently turn it on and use it independently or with a peer.