The Benefits of Reading Aloud to Middle School Students
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 30, 2023
When you think of reading aloud, you might picture a teacher in a primary school classroom reading a picture book to a group of wide-eyed kindergarteners. However, reading aloud can be beneficial for students of all ages, including middle schoolers. In fact, there are many benefits of reading aloud to middle school students. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.
Reading Aloud Improves Student Literacy Skills
One of the most important benefits of reading aloud to students is that it can help improve their literacy skills. When students listen to someone read, they are able to hear proper pronunciation and inflection. This exposure can help them become better readers themselves. Additionally, listening to someone else read gives students a chance to see how fluency affects comprehension.
An additional benefit to reading aloud to students is that students can often comprehend text read aloud at a much higher level than they can read on paper. This allows teachers to select books at higher reading levels. This also aids differentiation significantly, as it allows all students to be able to access the same text, even if reading independently is something they struggle with.
Reading aloud To Students helps Build Background Knowledge
Another benefit of reading aloud to students is that it helps build background knowledge. When students listen to someone read, they are exposed to new vocabulary words, concepts, and ideas. This exposure can help them better understand the material they are learning in class. Additionally, listening to someone else read also gives students a chance to make connections between what they are hearing and what they already know. These connections can deepen their understanding of the material and help them remember it better.
Reading Aloud Promotes Engagement
Reading aloud to students also promotes engagement. When students are engaged in what they are hearing, they are more likely to pay attention and participate in class discussions. Additionally, when students are engaged with the material, they are more likely to want to learn more about it on their own time. This desire to learn can lead them to seek out books and other resources on their own, which will further support their academic success.
Reading aloud to middle school students has many benefits. It can improve literacy skills, build background knowledge, and promote engagement, all of which lead to academic success. If you’re looking for a way to support your students’ learning in the classroom, consider incorporating some read-aloud time into your lesson plans. Your students will thank you for it!
To further enhance these connections and comprehension skills, explore our guide on Visualization Strategies for Reading Comprehension, which can be an excellent complement to reading aloud sessions.
Looking to incorporate some of the benefits of reading aloud?
Check out these read aloud novel study activities by clicking on the images below. Each read aloud novel study has been designed to keep students accountable during read aloud time. They contain journal prompt pages, question cards, literary element analysis, and reading strategy based activities.
Looking for more suitable material for your next read-aloud session? Check out our selection of The Best Short Stories for Middle School Classrooms for engaging and thought-provoking stories that make great read alouds.
For tips on planning and executing effective read-aloud sessions, don’t miss our guide on Interactive Read Alouds Planning Tips.
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