• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Courses
    • Teaching Every Reader
    • Teaching Every Writer
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Member Login

The Measured Mom

Education resources for parents and teachers

  • Alphabet
  • Reading
    • Structured literacy
    • Printable Books
    • Pre-Reading
    • Phonics
    • Sight Words
    • Comprehension
    • Fluency
    • Vocabulary
  • Writing
    • Grammar
    • Handwriting
    • Spelling
    • Writing in Pre-K
    • Writing in K-3
  • Math
    • Counting
    • Number Recognition
    • Addition & Subtraction
    • Colors, Shapes & Patterns
    • Visual Discrimination
    • Time, Money & Measurement
    • Place Value
    • Graphs
    • Multiplication & Division
    • Fractions
    • Problem Solving
  • Book Lists
    • Letter of the Week
    • Early Childhood Themes
    • Pre-Reading Skills
    • Math Concepts
    • Writing Mentor Texts
    • Versions of Familiar Tales
    • Holidays and Seasonal
    • History
    • Leveled Book Lists
  • Join Membership
Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Alphabet
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Math
    • Book Lists
  • Podcast
  • Courses
    • Teaching Every Reader
    • Teaching Every Writer
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Membership
  • Contact

PSPKK12310 Comments

Questions for interactive read alouds

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

This post will show you a fun way to build reading comprehension in grades 3, 4, and 5!

When you think about teaching reading comprehension in the intermediate grades, what comes to mind?

Worksheets?

Graphic organizers?

Reading comprehension passages?

I’ve used all of the above when building reading comprehension, but today I’m sharing something simpler and, frankly, more fun.

Picture books.

Yes, picture books! You’ll be amazed at how a strong interactive read aloud can boost reading comprehension – even when you are the one doing the reading.

 What is an interactive read aloud?

First let’s discuss what it is not. An interactive read aloud is not when you grab a book off the shelf to fill five minutes. While that’s certainly a good thing to do, an interactive read aloud is something you plan for.

An interactive read aloud is when you choose a book to read to your class and prepare thought-provoking discussion questions in advance. Many teachers like to jot these questions on sticky notes and mark the pages where they’ll pause to ask them.

How do interactive read alouds boost comprehension?

When you ask thought-provoking and open-ended questions, your students will engage in high-level thinking. With your help, they will have thoughtful discussions with you and their classmates.

How do you encourage participation?

I know, I know. An interactive read aloud sounds great in theory, but what if only a handle of kids are answering the questions? How can you make sure that everyone is actively involved?

Here are a few tips:

  • Choose strong picture books that grab your students’ attention and provide opportunity for deep discussion . (I’ll be sharing a printable list in a few weeks!)
  • Ask high level questions that encourage your students to think beyond the text.
  • Assign a partner to each student. At different points, have them turn to each other to discuss the answer to a question. Then call the group to attention and ask one or more people to share what they and their partner discussed.
  • Choose books that you love, and read them with with enthusiasm and expression.

What types of questions should you ask?

Questions that help children think more deeply about story elements:
  • What is the problem in this story?
  • How was the problem solved? What’s a different way the author could have chosen to solve the problem?
  • Why is the setting important for this story?
  • Do you think the characters are believable? Why or why not?
  • Who do you think is the most/least important character in the story? Why do you think so?
  • What would you say is the highest point of the story?
Quesitons that encourage children to use reading comprehension strategies:
  • How is this like something that has happened in your own life? (making connections)
  • What does this remind you of? (making connections)
  • Does story remind you of another book you know? (making connections)
  • What do you think will happen next? (predicting)
  • What clues did the author use to help you predict the ending? (inferring)
  • What does the word ____ mean? Why do you think so? (inferring)
  • What is the story really about? (synthesizing)
Prompts that encourage students to give more thorough answers:
  • What makes you think that?
  • What part of the story led you to that conclusion?
  • Be more specific.
  • What else does that make you think of?

How do you teach students to have good discussions?

That’s an important question – so important that I’ll be devoting an entire post to it! In fact, this happens to be the first of a 5-part series about building comprehension in grades 3-5. Stay tuned!

Wait! How will I think of strong questions?

You’ll get better at this with practice. But I’ve got a list to get you started! Use the download button below at the end of this post to grab a free list of high-level questions that you can use when planning your interactive read alouds.

Have fun!

Check out the rest of the series below!

    

 

Get your free questions for interactive read alouds!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Free Reading Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension resources ... all free!

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Reading, Comprehension Tagged With: reading comprehension, third grade

You May Also Enjoy These Episodes:

Questioning chart Activating prior knowledge with picture books Fluency quick win
Ending sounds activity
Different versions of The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Reader Interactions

10 Comments

  1. Laura

    November 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Anna,

    When I click on the reading response journals, it takes me to the reading comprehension guide. I always enjoy reading your work and ideas! Thank you so much for inspiring other teachers.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Laura

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      November 23, 2018 at 8:01 pm

      Hi Laura! I haven’t written that post yet, but I hope to do so in the next few weeks. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  2. Linda A

    September 6, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    I’m so glad you’re posting things for grades 3-5. I’m teaching 4th grade ESL this year and I loved using your resources when I worked with kinder and 1st. ?

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      September 17, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks, Linda! I hope to share more soon!

      Reply to this comment
  3. Deborah Attas

    September 6, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Hi Anna,
    This method of teaching is quite common and not something new. Hundreds of teachers use read a louds with all the questions you have listed as well as reading workshop by Lucy Caulkins not to mention Fontas and Pinnell’s book on reading comprehension and writing. I have used all the programmes as my colleagues have and continue to do so. This is not new and so many teachers make reading comprehension come alive.

    Reply to this comment
    • Michelle Stewart

      September 6, 2018 at 8:54 am

      BUT, every teacher doesn’t use these techniques, new teachers may not have been taught this method, and sometimes teachers get in a rut. If everyone reasoned as you do, knowledge would not get passed from generation to generation. I enjoyed this patt because it reminded me that I’m not using every technique available to teach my daughter.

      Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      September 6, 2018 at 10:02 am

      You are right that this isn’t new, Deborah – but too often I see teachers in grades 3-5 not reading aloud to their students at all. The curriculum is packed full with other things, and many teachers don’t know how to make the time (or feel that it’s worth their time).

      Reply to this comment
    • Rebekah

      September 20, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      I follow your blog as a parent, and not a teacher. I appreciate the ideas for grade school activities I can do at home. While baby through kindergarten is full of ideas, I have to dig for things for this higher age.

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. How to teach kids to have a good book discussion - The Measured Mom says:
    September 19, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    […] week I talked about the importance of interactive read alouds with kids in the intermediate grades. One reader let me know that “this method of teaching is […]

    Reply to this comment
  2. Strategies for Building Reading Comprehension | Two Dogs Tutoring says:
    November 7, 2018 at 7:52 am

    […] Teaching Reading Comprehension in Grades 3-5 […]

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Grade Level Key

  • PS Preschool (ages 2-3 years)
  • PK Pre-K (ages 4-5 years)
  • K Kindergarten
  • 1 1st grade
  • 2 2nd grade
  • 3 3rd grade

Hello, I’m Anna!

Welcome to The Measured Mom. I’m so glad you’re here!

Meet Our Team

Free Reading Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension resources ... all free!

Shop these popular reading resources!

Editable Reading Games for Every Season – MEGA PACK!

$24.00

Phonics Books & Games – Complete Set

$49.00

Reading response sheets & Early chapter book lists

$18.00

Shop All Resources

Members get more!

The Measured Mom Plus is the perfect online membership for Pre-K to third grade educators.

Learn More

Love Freebies?

Subscribing to our email newsletter is completely free. And when you do, you'll get access to our library of subscriber freebies! Sign up below to get access to a wonderful variety of math and literacy resources.

Join our online courses and get the tools you need to teach every learner in K-2!

Confidently teach every reader in your classroom. Still have time to live your life.

Learn More

Get everything you need to teach writing well, including over 200 ready-to-use lessons.

Learn More

Listen and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher

Check out these recent podcast episodes:

  • 6 Things to remember about the science of reading
  • What order should we teach the letters of the alphabet?
  • Should we teach letter names or sounds first?
More Episodes

Check out these FREE email courses...

Get strategies and tools to teach a particular topic with a free 5-day email series! Just click an image to sign up. We recommend signing up for just one at a time.

For Pre-K Educators

How to teach letters and sounds to preschoolers

How to teach letters and sounds to preschoolers

Learn my must-follow tips for teaching the alphabet in this free 5-day email series!

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

Learn how to develop this important pre-reading skill with a free 5-day email series!

How to teach preschool math

How to teach preschool math

Learn exactly what to teach your preschoolers in this free 5-day series!

For Kinder & 1st Grade Educators

How to teach kids to sound out words

How to teach kids to sound out words

Learn my top strategies for teaching kids to "sound it out"

How to teach sight words

How to teach sight words

Get strategies and tools for teaching sight words to young learners!

Tips for teaching phonics

Tips for teaching phonics

Sign up for our free 5-day email series to learn what phonics skills to teach and how to structure your phonics lessons!

For 2nd & 3rd Grade Educators

How to build reading fluency

How to build reading fluency

Learn smart strategies for helping your learners become fluent readers with this free 5-day series!

How to teach writing in 2nd & 3rd grade

How to teach writing in 2nd & 3rd grade

Learn the most important writing skills to teach to 2nd & 3rd graders in this free 5-day series!

How to build reading comprehension

How to build reading comprehension

Discover the essential reading comprehension strategies for 2nd & 3rd grade and how to teach them!

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33

Copyright © 2023 The Measured Mom •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy & Disclosure Statement  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs