PL10L3 Partner Reading

Implementing Partner Reading in the Classroom

1. Define Goals

Determine what you want to achieve with paired reading, such as improving reading accuracy, rate, and/or expressive reading skills.

2. Select Appropriate Texts

Choose texts that are suitable for the reading skills of the paired students and their literacy goals. For example, choose decodable texts for students learning phonics patterns needing practice with accuracy and automaticity. Choose more challenging, authentic texts for students focused on building passage reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Adjust reading materials based on students' evolving reading skills and interests.

3. Pairing Students

You can pair high-performing readers with an average reader or an average reader with a low-performing reader. An easy way to do this is to list your students from fluent to least fluent. Then, split that list in half. Match the most fluent reader in the first half of the list with the most fluent reader in the second half. Then, match the second most fluent reader on the first half of the list with the second most fluent reader on the second half, and so on. Before finalizing partners, consider students' personalities and working styles to ensure they work well together. Change pairs periodically based on student progress and dynamics.

4. Establish Roles

Decide who will read aloud first and who will listen. You will want the stronger reader to read first. Rotate roles to give both students practice in reading and listening.

5. Supportive Roles

Define how the listener can support the reader, such as providing encouragement or helping with difficult words. This video describes an error correction procedure for students to use while reading with a partner. It explains to students how they can help their partner when they miss a word. This strategy comes from Anita Archer's book, Explicit Instruction.

You can find the reference sheet (free) on Teachers Pay Teachers here!

Check out this Partner Reading Video!

6. Model the Process

Show students how to take turns reading, how to support each other, and how to discuss the text. Read a passage aloud, demonstrating how to articulate words, use expression, and pause for comprehension checks.

7. Provide Structure

Show students how to take turns reading, how to support each other, and how to discuss the text. Read a passage aloud, demonstrating how to articulate words, use expression, and pause for comprehension checks.

8. Monitor and Support

Walk around and listen to the pairs, offering guidance and support as needed. Offer constructive feedback to students on their reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.

9. Incorporate Self-Assessments

After partner reading sessions, have students reflect on what they learned, what they found challenging, and how they supported each other. Encourage students to assess their own and their partner's reading progress and areas for improvement.