Goodbye Round Robin Reflection

We read to comprehend by bringing our own meaning and experiences to the text in an
effort to obtain understanding. Opitz and Rasinski define reading as a language, a cognitive
process, and a social activity. Because readers must use intuitive cueing systems like semantics,
syntactics, and graphophonics to interpret text - reading is a linguistic skill. Strategies like
predicting, visualizing, questioning, making connections, and rereading among others must be
used by the reader to gain comprehension - reading requires critical thinking. The situation we
are in determines the type of text we choose to read and where, which ultimately tells us that
we use reading to share information, learn from one another, to understand ourselves better,
and to complete specific activities reading is used for enjoyment! It is necessary to
understand what reading is in order to motivate our students to read.
Round Robin Reading is the practice of calling on students to read orally one after
another.
Oral reading has a significant impact on students, particularly in sessions that include
guidance from teachers, peers, or parents by positively affecting word recognition, fluency, and
comprehension for all levels. Moreover it provides an authentic context for English Language
Learners to acquire our language. It also helps children reach their maximum potential by
providing them with the opportunity to be a part of the classroom community by interacting
with students on all levels.
The problems associated with Round Robin Reading are numerous. First off, it creates a
negative space by making students anxious sweaty palms, racing hearts, trouble breathing,
etc. This anxiety distracts students from the text. It also encourages students to only focus on

their section, failing to comprehend the text as a whole. Furthermore, because of the way
Round Robin Reading holds students accountable, advanced students tend to read ahead losing
their place when called on. This can lead to another form of anxiety, embarrassment.
As mention before, oral reading is an excellent when working with struggling readers,
especially English Language Learners. Two strategies listed within Goodbye Round Robin to
assist struggling readers are Paired Reading and Recorded Texts. In Paired Reading struggling
students are paired with a proficient reader, like a teacher, an older student, or even an agelevel peer. The two are expected to sit side by side and read one self-selected text together,
with one pointing to the text as it is read. This one-to-one ratio is the best way to prove
students with the support they need to be successful. Personally, I would nickname this activity
Buddy Reading to use during lit stations or even independent reading time. Next up is Recorded
Texts, this activity is an awesome way to accommodate your struggling readers when you need
that one-to-one ratio but just simply do not have the resources. Students can listen to
commercially produced tapes or CDs while reading, or even homemade ones youve created
yourself. The key to success with this particular suggestion is for students to listen to the oral
rendition of a text while reading the same text simultaneously. Again, I would also use this
strategy during lit stations or just as a free time activity. Both Paired Reading and Recorded
Texts are proven to increase student comprehension, overall fluency, and word identification
skills.
Oral reading is important for comprehension Oral reading strategies like Think-Aloud
model how self-regulated readers comprehend text using a variety of strategies to overcome
hurdles that interfere with meaning while providing an authentic learning experience. All in all,

Think-Alouds provide the guidance struggling readers need to successful. Another oral reading
strategy is Induced Imagery, this activity asks teachers to read a selection aloud that contains
an ample amount of imagery, then share what you are mentally picturing as you read. Not only
does imagery help a student remember better, but it also enhances a students ability to
construct inferences and make predictions. Both of which are effective reading strategies used
by self-regulated readers to fully comprehend text.
The key words to remember when using oral reading for sharing and performance are
preparation and audience. Simply because our sole purpose of these activities is to share and
communicate information, which means readers need an adequate amount of time to prepare,
whether thats just collecting their thoughts or gathering their resources. Furthermore, when
readers are expected to perform, you need to have an interested audience for the presentation
to be run smoothly. Readers Theatre is an age old strategy that is a way for groups of students
to use their reading voices to perform a story or script for an audience. The performance is
done without memorizing lines or props of any sort this includes sets, costumes, etc. By
excluding these students must read with meaning and expression to fully convey the story to
the audience. This is one strategy I will use in the classroom, especially with plays. Yet another
strategy suggest by Goodbye Round Robin is Poetry Club. In this activity, students share their
appreciation for poetry by giving students the opportunity to select, practice, and read a
favorite poem to interest others, ultimately motivating others to read.
In summary, Goodbye Round Robin is a collection of reading strategies that schools,
teachers, and parents can utilize when teaching their youngsters to read. Oral reading is an

authentic practice that relates reading to the real world, improving comprehension, and
creating self-regulated readers.