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Partner Reading
Why use partner reading?
- It is a cooperative learning strategy in which two students are encouraged to work together to read an assigned text.
- It allows students to take turns reading and provide each other with feedback as a way to monitor comprehension.
- It provides a model of fluent reading and helps students learn decoding skills by offering positive feedback.
- It provides direct opportunities for a teacher to circulate in the class, observe students, and offer individual remediation.
| When to use: | Before reading | During reading | After reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to use: | Individually | With small groups | Whole class setting |
How to use partner reading
- Choose the assigned reading and introduce the text to the students.
- Create pairs within the classroom by identifying which children require help on specific skills and who the most appropriate children are to help other children learn those skills.
- Model the procedure to ensure that students understand how to use the strategy.
- Have each member of the teacher-assigned pair take turns being "Coach" and "Player." These pairs are changed regularly, and over a period of time as students work. Thus, all students have the opportunity to be "coaches" and "players."
Note: It is important for teachers to monitor and support students as they work together. - Ask the stronger reader to begin this activity as the "Player" and read orally for 5 minutes. Have the "Coach" follow along and correct any mistakes when necessary.
- Have the pair switch roles and ask the weaker reader to become the "Player." The "Player" rereads the same passage for the next 5 minutes and the "Coach" provides corrective feedback. One point is earned for each correct sentence read (optional).
Examples
Language Arts
This website gives some guidelines and rules along with examples for using partner reading.
Ask students to partner up for some computer time and have them work together building their own poems using the following website.
Math
This link takes partners through computer generated word problems. Teachers can print the problems if they wish and have students read and work through them together.
Science
Partners can take turns reading directions on how to conduct simple science experiments such as this one that helps make air "visible."
Teachers can ask students to work together solving the brainteasers on this website.
Social Studies
Partner reading can be used to help students understand other cultures. Simple games such as the one found on this website can be included as part of the activity.
Children's books to use with this strategy
Mama, Tell Me a Story
Language Arts and/or Social Studies
Animal similarities and differences are introduced by comparing various physical attributes.
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
Language Arts and/or Science
While not all poems are for new readers, many introduce a range of insects in poems intended to be read by two voices. The poetry could also be used in conjunction with science and the study of habitats and environment as well as insects. It could also be used to launch further research.
Yo! Yes?
Language Arts
Two boys meet and develop a friendship. Readers will gain meaning and be able to read expressively from the animated presentation (in typeface and color as well as placement) of simple words which are ideal to read aloud in tandem. (Children can describe not only plot but attributes - characteristics and characterization - of the 2 boys. A discussion of language and how we greet our friends as well could take this into a social skills direction.)
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You
Language Arts
Very short, rhyming stories are color coded for 2 voices (or perhaps 2 "choruses"). This is the first in the humorous series.
The Doorbell Rang
Math and/or Language Arts
As the doorbell rings, two children must divide the dozen cookies their mother makes until they barely have any - until Grandma arrives with a fresh batch. Not only does the story read aloud well, basic arithmetic is introduced in an easily recognizable situation.
Grapes of Math
Math and/or Language Arts
Two boys meet and develop a friendship. Readers will gain meaning and be able to read expressively from the animated presentation (in typeface and color as well as placement) of simple words which are ideal to read aloud in tandem. (Children can describe not only plot but attributes - characteristics and characterization - of the 2 boys. A discussion of language and how we greet our friends as well could take this into a social skills direction.)
Differentiated instruction
For Second Language Learners, students of varying reading skill, and for younger learners
- Teachers may wish to include the following additional activities for varying skill levels:
- Story retelling: students work together to retell the story by cooperatively providing input and correcting mistakes
- Summarization: students support each other in developing a summary of the passage in 10 words or less
- Writing: students write down the summary they developed and/or responses to the following:
- the who or what of the paragraph;
- the most important thing about who or what; and
- the main idea
- Teachers can use this activity to pair an ELL with a non-ELL student to support language development (see the following resource for more information: Colorín Colorado. (2007). Reading Comprehension Strategies for English Language Learners.
- Teachers may wish to use cross age/grade partners for this activity.
See the research that supports this strategy
Armbruster, B., Lehr, F., & Osborn, J. (2001). Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read. Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement. National Institute for Literacy. http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1fluency.html.
Fuchs, D., Fuchs, L., & Burish, P. (2000). Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies: An Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Reading Achievement. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 15(2), 85-91.
Saenz, L., Fuchs, L., & Fuchs, D. (2005) Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies for English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities. Exceptional Children, (71).
Texas Education Agency. (2002). Fluency: Instructional Guidelines and Student Activities.
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development. (n.d.). Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies. Retrieved 2008, January 21, from http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/.
