Parallel Reading

Reading Classification:
Definitions in Three Stages
Materials Definition booklets for each classification: Each picture on the left
side of the page, the definition printed on the right side of the page. The
word defined is printed in red. (As you turn the page, the backs of the
pages are black) On the picture, only the part of the object being
referred to the definition is colored.

For the Definitions in three stages: Use a comb binder to put two
pocket folders together so that you have 4 pockets, one for card and
one for each stage.
1. The definitions complete with word defined in red.
2. The definitions complete, but now the word defined in red cut
out separately.
3. The definition complete, but cut into separate phrases. The
word defined in red is also separated.

Purposes  Reading exercises to introduce the child to the written form for the
vocabulary he already knows from the Enrichment of Vocabulary
 To help the child in his classification of the environment
 Preparation for further studies

Age 4.5 and up

Preparation  The child is becoming fluent reading phrases in the Function of

Words activities, up through conjunction
 The child has had the associated vocabulary from spoken language
activities (telling true stories, eliciting a conversation from a
picture, etc)

Presentation of Invite the child.

Definition Book Let them choose a booklet and invite them to read it.
Fade and Observe.

Presentation – Invite the child and have them choose one of the definition folders.
Stage 1 Bring the material to a rug.

Have the child lay out the pictures of the cards in columns on the rug.
Take the first definition, have the child read it and match it to the
corresponding picture. Invite the child to continue. Fade and observe.

When the child has matched all of the definitions, return to show how
to use the definition booklet as a control. Model clean up and let child
 Parallel Reading
Reading Classification: Definitions in Three Stages

know she can choose any definition set on the shelf.

Presentation – Invite the child and have them choose one of the definition folders.
Stage 2 Bring the material to a rug.

Have the child lay out the pictures of the cards in columns on the rug.
Take the labels (names) and definitions for stage two. Lay the labels in
one column along the right side of the rug and lay out the definitions in
another column on the right.

Invite the child to match the labels to the pictures on the left.
When the labels are matched, the adult will model the matching of a
definition. Put the definition under the first label. Read the name and
the definition together to see if it makes sense. If it does, leave it. If
not, move to the next label. Continue until all the match is found.
Invite the child to continue. Fade and observe.

Return to show using the definition booklet as a control.

Presentation – Invite the child and have them choose one of the definition folders.
Stage 3 Bring the material to a rug.

Have the child lay out the pictures of the cards in columns on the rug.
Take the stage III cards, make a column of labels and another column
of the partial definition phrases on the right of the rug. Begin having
the child read the label and match it to the corresponding picture until
all are matched.

Lay out the definition phrases on the right side of the rug so that all can
be seen. Begin with the first picture and try to compose a definition
that makes sense. Invite the child to continue. Fade and observe. The
definition booklet is used for the control.

Control of Error For Stages 1-3: The definition booklet

Following None
Exercises

Pedagogical  The progression of reading goes from reading single words, to

Notes reading phrases, to reading sentences (books).

 All the definitions in the definition booklets should be known

already through spoken language.

 The child is now be reading simple books in the environment.

 Parallel Reading
Reading Classification: Definitions in Three Stages

 You should have a wide assortment of books for children to read that
are rotated frequently.