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Pairs Read

What is it?

Pairs read is a strategy that requires collaborative learning as students read and digest text. Students help each other increase their knowledge and understanding of the text by reading the text aloud to each other. While one student reads aloud, the other students listen and then summarize the main idea.

How could it be used in instruction?

This strategy provides students with opportunities to explore information from a variety of sources, such as articles or trade books on the same topic. Students read information in pairs and then share what they have learned about the topic with the rest of the class.

How to use it:

1. Select a passage for students to read.

2. Arrange students into pairs with one being the partner and the other being the reader.

3. Ask the reader to read the first paragraph aloud to the partner.

4. Then the partner summarizes the main idea and supporting details. The partner can ask the reader questions to help clarify the reading.

5. Instruct students to reverse roles and ask the new reader to read the next paragraph.

6. Ask the new coach to summarize what was read.

7. Instruct students to continue alternating roles until they have completed the passage.

8. Once the entire passage is read, ask students to cooperatively summarize the main idea and discuss the supporting details.