Dialogic Reading

STORYTIME STRUCTURE

Intro Song/Fingerplay/Movement Activity
Examples of Songs: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadAloud/playlists
Always use the SAME one!
1st Book
During the reading, ask questions that encourage students to connect with the story. This promotes language development and conversation.
Song/Fingerplay/Movement Activity
A fun song (or TWO!): https://www.youtube.com/@ReadAloud/playlists or activity helps keep energy high and engagement strong. It is helpful for children if you repeat the same songs from week to week.
2nd Book
Do not worry if the children want to share their thoughts during the story. It is a valuable part of their learning process.
Goodbye Song/Fingerplay/Movement Activity. Use always the same one: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadAloud/playlists

Although you only read two books during storytime, leave the entire set (4–5 books) in the classroom for the children to enjoy until your next visit.

Resources for Readers

How Read Aloud Books Circulate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eesEmw1DQ_g&t=2s
Example of Storytime REAL session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlaa0N58chk
Read Aloud Training Fall 2025 with all the slides and links: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FYI_BFxlKbDe4pS7wkdJWrSQpnKlZivor-_iSAZBh2E/edit?usp=sharing
Read Aloud Youtube Channel with songs, fingerplays, tips, how to use props…: https://www.youtube.com/readaloud
Volunteer Resources that include booklists, ideas for books, requesting props…: https://www.denverlibrary.org/kids/readaloud/volunteer-resources

Expectations for a Great Experience for Kids

For Classroom Staff

-Talk with each other before the first visit to:

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agree on the same day and time the volunteer can visit each week

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set expectations and routines for how to best support student behavior and engagement during reading time

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communicate absences with the Reader (field trips, exams, planning days...)

-Participate alongside children—especially by sitting with them—to boost engagement and model involvement. Support movement and singing activities by joining in.

-While the volunteer reads, sit with the children to model listening, join in with actions, and help keep them engaged.

-Support participation by connecting books to classroom content, managing turn-taking, and redirecting distractions.

-During the week, make use of Read Aloud Books in the classroom as you please; reread the books that were shared and discover the ones that were not presented by the volunteer. Feel free to make them accessible to the kids during the week.

-Offer feedback and share best practices with the reader.

For Readers

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Sessions last 20–25 minutes, with a max of 2 books plus songs/movement.

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Always start with the same song or movement activity, read the first book, do your second set of songs or movement, read the second book, and sing a goodbye song.

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Plan to read a maximum of 2 books.

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Plan to share AT LEAST 3 songs/rhymes/movement activities including your hello and goodbye songs. Have a couple of backup songs in case kids would benefit from movement more than an actual book.

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Make sure children can always see the illustrations by holding the book to the side while you read.

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Use dialogic reading. Encourage children to share ideas, make predictions, and relate stories to their lives.

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Give 5 to 7 seconds for students to think of their answers before you jump in.

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Acknowledge all responses.

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Communicate absences early and ahead of time (vacation, meetings, trips...).

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Exchange phone numbers with staff for last-minute changes (snow days, trips, illness).

READING THE BOOK STRAIGHT THROUGH, WITHOUT PAUSING FOR DISCUSSION, IS NOT DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE FOR THIS AGE GROUP
– Creating conversation around what’s happening on different pages keeps children engaged and connecting to the story