This is a guest post by Kathy Crane, who will be contributing a series of posts over the next few months. If you like what you see here, check back frequently for more posts from here and  click here to read her blog,  Kindergarten Kiosk .

Steps one through four of shared reading ( as described in this prior post ) are generally completed on day one when a new book has just been introduced. Step five will generally begin on day two. This step always begins with inviting the students to read the text along with the teacher (as she points to the text).

During the first  choral  or group reading the entire text should be read.  Following the initial choral reading there are several activities that will allow students the opportunity to become fluent readers as their ability to comprehend text deepens. These activities are generally based on a lesson objective, the age of the students, and/or the difficulty of the text. Here are a few examples of activities that you might consider using:

1.Look for specific alphabet letters or sight words.
2.Focus on phonemic activities such as rhyme, beginning sound, alliteration found within the story, or syllables in chosen words.
3.Cover words with post-it notes to allow students an opportunity to practice the reading strategy of  what makes sense?
4.Use the think-aloud process to teach reading strategies.
5.Cover parts of words allowing for focus of beginning or ending sounds.
6.Focus on new vocabulary words.
7.Practice sequencing story events.
8.Focus on writing conventions. Ask students why the author chose a certain punctuation, etc.
9.Design a story map (beginning middle end).
10.Make a list of elements within the story.
11.Dramatize the story.
12.Talk about the job of the illustrator/author
13.Ask what was the author’s purpose?
14.Discuss the book’s genre.

As you can see, the opportunities for good teaching go on and on when you use the technique of shared reading!

My students love  Mrs. Wishy-Washy. Of course they do—Joy Cowley is a genius! We all know and love her original story, but have you   checked out her sequels ? My students love them. In the picture above, they are acting out  Mrs. Wishy-Washy and the Big Wash .

So, what is my giveaway this post? An original song poster featuring, you guessed it, the one and only Mrs. Wishy-Washy!

~~~

Kathy Crane holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Reading. She is a published author of thirteen books, a freelance author and developer of teaching curriculum, has been a teacher of kindergarten for twenty-two years, and publishes the blog   Kindergarten Kiosk .

For more information about Joy Cowley's books,  click here to visit our website . To download a larger image of the Mrs. Wishy-Washy song, click the image below.