This is a nice link on Dialogic Reading strategies, one of which we used recently in Somerville during a professional development workshop - CROWD. CROWD stands for:
We were lucky to have Allen Kesten, a former children's librarian, Head Start education coordinator, curriculum developer, and consultant to lead us in CROWD strategies.
First Allen read us a story - and who doesn't love a good story. This book by Gaia Cornwall had us on the edge of our seats and we waited to see if Jabari would indeed jump off the high dive at his local pool.
As Allen read, he modeled the CROWD strategies and we became even more engaged in the story.
Then our teachers worked in pairs to generate their own CROWD questions as they chose a book from among the low text, high interest books Allen brought for us. Low text, high interest books support children's engagement in a story without having to rely on too much or overly complicated text.
Back in their classrooms, teachers practices the strategies with children one on one, in small groups, and whole group read alouds.
We documented our professional development in a bulletin board aimed at families with a copy of the books, photos of the teachers learning together, and children reading at school. A simple handout, translated into key languages spoken in our district, gave families tips on things they can ask while reading to children, and we included a booklist for teachers and families.
While reading a book with your child:
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Ask,
“Tell me what is happening in this picture.”
•
Ask,
“Tell me about . . .”
•
Wonder,
“I wonder how they will solve . . .”
•
Ask,
“Why do you think . . . ?”
•
Ask,
“How did . . .?”
•
Ask,
“What do you think will happen next?”
•
Ask,
“Have you ever . . .?”
•
Recall,
“Remember when we . . .”
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| High Interest/Low Text Books |
DO try this at home and at school!
