Mini Lessons & Read Aloud in Reading Block

The mini-lessons for the Reading Block teach concepts, strategies, and techniques for reading and comprehension while encouraging students to read and interact with good literature.  The 10-15 minute mini-lesson gives teachers the opportunity to give direct instruction to students and model the lessons using authentic literature.  Sample mini-lessons can include:

• comprehension strategies 
• procedures for Reading Workshop
• reading strategies and skills
• literary elements
• literary techniques (i.e. voice, descriptive words, etc.)

The read-aloud is an activity in which the teacher reads a book aloud to the whole group.  The purpose of the read-aloud is to model appropriate reading behaviors and reading strategies.  It is also a time to expose children to a variety of genres and literary styles.  The teacher has an opportunity to show students the joys of reading and teach them how to think and discuss text. Teachers should have a set purpose for each read-aloud and should read with the proper fluency, rhythm, and intonation.The read aloud can be used in conjunction with the mini-lesson.  It provides students with the opportunity to see the teacher model the lesson using an authentic text.

Taken from Busy Teachers Cafe