Alternative to Round Robin Readings

"In RRR, students read orally from a common text, one child after another, while the rest of the class follows along in their copies of the text," (Finley, 2014). Simple, easy way to hear all student's read, right? Or maybe you're a fan of pulling sticks, students pick students "combat reading," "popcorn" reading when a student calls popcorn when he/she is done reading and calls another student.  Kids love popcorn reading or at least they ask for it by name, maybe that's it, the name is fun so kids want to "popcorn" read, but don't really enjoy it.  Over the last few years there has been a movement to eradicate round robin reading in elementary schools.  I have to admit, it is very hard to stop, even though I know it's not the best method to teach students to read.  According to Finley's article round robin reading: 

• Stigmatizes poor readers. Imagine the terror that English-language learners and struggling readers face when made to read in front of an entire class.
• Weakens comprehension. Listening to a peer orally read too slowly, too fast, or too haltingly weakens learners' comprehension -- a problem exacerbated by turn-taking interruptions. 
• Sabotages fluency and pronunciation. Struggling readers model poor fluency skills and pronunciation. When instructors correct errors, fluency is further compromised. (2014).

I do have to admit I have seen this take place where students are afraid to read because they are not the best readers and will often count the sentences to where they have to read so they can prepare themselves and try to practice in their heads.  Seeing this behavior, teachers should then realize then that RR is not the best method for the students.
There are better methods to teach reading and in my position I have brought the research and methods to my staff and some employ them and others not so much.

For example:
Choral Reading: teacher and students read the passage together to minimize struggle.  I do this everyday with my intervention group.  I also incorporate echo reading after.  I count down 3,2,1 we all read as one voice then I read you read.  They are getting plenty of practice looking at the words and reading the words.  I am now scaffolding off to the students to have them lead the choral watching them tap and sweep under the words to make sure they are one to one matching and not just reciting.

Partner reading: they read together and take turns reading

PALS: Peer Assisted Learning Strategies: pairing stronger readers with weaker readers helps struggling readers not to be intimidated and learn to read, reread, and retell

Whisper reading:  Student read at their own pace but in a whisper voice so I can check in on them to listen if they are struggling or need redirection.


If you would like more information on alternative round robin reading strategies, please check out the article.



Finley, T. (2014, December 1). 11 Alternatives to "Round Robin" (and "Popcorn") Reading. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org//blog/alternatives-to-round-robin-reading-todd-finley