- Invite a different student to read each section aloud for the class. Pause at the end of each section and ask volunteers to provide a one-sentence summary of the most important information in the passage.
- Read the story aloud to the class while students read along silently, pausing at key points to confirm comprehension or to model reading-comprehension strategies with a think-aloud.
- Play our read-aloud version of the story for the class. Most of our audio versions are read by the author, and one read-aloud per issue is enhanced with music and sound effects.
- For our readers theater plays, assign parts and have students read the play aloud. Note that larger speaking roles are marked with an asterisk in the character box; the smaller roles or group roles can be a good fit for students who feel less comfortable reading aloud in class.
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Implementation Ideas
Storyworks is a flexible resource that can be used in your ELA block for whole-class, small-group, partner, or independent work. Here are some ideas for making the most of Storyworks in any instructional setting.
Ideas for Reading
Ideas for Discussing
- After reading, use our close-reading and critical-thinking questions to guide a whole-class discussion. Our close-reading and critical-thinking questions are included in every lesson plan and are also available as a downloadable PDF or interactive activity.
- Project the close-reading and critical-thinking questions for the class to see. Model how to write a short response to the first one or two. Do a few more together as a class, then have students work in pairs for the next two. Finally, assign the remaining questions to be answered individually in class or as homework.
Ideas for Reading
- Put students in groups and have each group member take a turn reading a section of the story.
- While most students work in groups on their own, gather a group of students who need more support and read aloud as they follow along or have them take turns reading. (Consider using the lower-Lexile version of the feature nonfiction, paired texts, debate, or mini read.) Pause to check comprehension or explain challenging passages as needed.
- Invite students to read a section of the story aloud in unison with you. This reading strategy, called choral reading, allows striving readers to practice reading a text aloud before reading independently or in front of a group. It’s also a fun way to build community in your classroom!
- Read short passages of a text, such as a sentence or a paragraph, and invite a student to echo it back. This strategy, called echo reading, helps students build fluency and develop the skill of reading expressively. It also presents opportunities to offer quick, in-the-moment feedback.
Ideas for Discussing
- After groups have read the article once, distribute the close-reading and critical-thinking questions for students to examine sections closely and discuss them. Come back together as a class for students to share what they discussed.
- Another approach is to assign each group one or two questions to discuss and be prepared to share their thoughts with the class. You can cut the printed skill builder into individual questions to distribute to groups.
- Ask students who have read and marked the text independently to come together as a group to discuss what they found interesting, surprising, or confusing.
Ideas for Reading
- Arrange students in pairs and have them take turns reading aloud sections of a story. The students can help each other as questions or stumbling blocks arise.
- To build fluency, consider pairing a more-fluent reader with less-fluent one so the first can model expression and accuracy for the second. The less-fluent reader can reread the same passage they have just heard.
- As an alternative, have both partners listen to our audio read-aloud section by section then take turns rereading the section they have just heard.
Ideas for Discussing
- After reading, have pairs work together to discuss the close-reading and critical-thinking questions.
- Alternatively, the pair can divide the questions up and write their responses. They can then explain to their partner how they arrived at their answers.
Ideas for Reading
- Ask students to read silently to themselves, marking any parts of the text that are interesting, surprising, or confusing. They should also mark unfamiliar words.
- You can also assign a story to be read independently as homework so students come to class ready to discuss it. To boost family engagement, ask students to read the story aloud to a family member.
Ideas for Discussing
- After independent reading, combine students in pairs or groups and choose a discussion strategy from the small group or partner work suggestions.
- For our nonfiction and fiction features, you may also assign a Learning Journey Slide Deck. This ready-made slide deck combines the article, any videos or slideshows, interactive questions, and extension activities. Share it with students as is or customize it to your liking.
Text-to-Speech