Planning and

Preparing for
Read-Alouds
Written by Megan
McCaffrey and
Katy E. Hisrich

Jess Lawton
 The Importance of
read-alouds
★ Seen as the single most
important activity required for
eventual success in reading
★ Understanding of story structure
and critical thinking skills
★ Vocabulary and print
★ Builds interest and a love for
reading
★ Helps students’ phonemic
awareness
★ Builds comprehension skills
★ Fosters creativity and imagination
★ Strengthens classroom community and relationships
★ Builds attention span
★ Allows for further discussion
“How much time do
you spend planning
read alouds?”
Planning
★ Teachers should read
the story multiple
times
★ Know when to pause
★ Engaging and
effective vs. flat
★ Advocate for the love
of reading
★ Take time to find the
right book
Preparing
★ Spend 45-60 minutes ★ Have discussion
choosing a book questions ready
★ Prepare for questions ★ Be able to
students may ask you pronounce words
that are unfamiliar
★ Plan questions to you
you want to ask

★ Define any words you

may not know and be
prepared to define
words for students
Selecting the Best
Books
Student interest Length of book
Representation of
Developmentally diversity
appropriate

Connection to
Background
curriculum
knowledge
 Author Credentials

Megan McCaffrey is a graduate from

1
the University of Arizona and a
professor at Governors State
University. She has a masters degree
in English and a PhD in philosophy
(language, reading, and culture). She
has been a professor for 9 years

Katy Hisrich is a graduate from

2
Vanderbilt University and is also a
professor as Governors State
University. She has a masters
degree in education and has worked
in the educational field for over 20
years.
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