Dialogic Reading
About Dialogic Reading
The WOVEN WORD program uses a well-researched shared-reading technique called dialogic reading to promote children's early literacy skills. Dialogic reading involves:
- Reading a story aloud.
- Asking children a variety of questions during the story.
- Responding to children's answers in a way that encourages further conversation.
Dr. Grover Whitehurst, Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, and his colleagues have researched dialogic reading for 15 years and published many studies on this topic. The technique has been shown to promote children's oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension skills (Whitehurst and Lonigan, 1998).
Teaching the WOVEN WORD Program
The success of dialogic reading is based on repeated readings with small groups of children. Teachers read each of the program's books three times in one week to groups of four to six children. Each reading takes 20 minutes.
There are three phases to the program. Follow-up activities for each of the Phase 2 books are also provided. These activities are done with the whole class and take 20 minutes each.
Learn how the program aligns with character education principles. (PDF)
About the WOVEN WORD Books
Children's books are ideal for teaching social and emotional skills and early literacy skills together. The WOVEN WORD program includes:
- Four original, beautifully illustrated children's books that present consistent, positive messages.
- Two carefully selected trade books that also focus on social and emotional themes.
- Reading guides for the WOVEN WORD books.
- Additional reading guides for 20 popular children's books.
Read summaries of the WOVEN WORD program books.
See additional books with social and emotional themes that are used in the WOVEN WORD program.
Children don't stop learning when they leave school. The WOVEN WORD program strives to keep parents involved in their child's daily learning activities by offering materials to use at home. Parents read and discuss the take-home books their children hear in class, reinforcing a vital link between home and school literacy.
Family involvement is supported by WOVEN WORD materials, including:
- A Family Video featuring an overview of the program and techniques.
- Take-home copies of the same books that children hear at school.
- Home-Link letters that enhance family involvement in the program and extension ideas to make the most of storybook readings.
- Tips for hosting a "family night" to show the Family Video and answer questions.
- Spanish-language versions of the Family Video, handouts for family night, and Home-Link letters are included in the program kit.
Teacher Training
The Teacher Training Video and scripted reading cards included in each kit prepare teachers to use the techniques with confidence and creativity.
References
Whitehurst, G. J., and Lonigan, C. J. (1998). "Child Development and Emergent Literacy." Child Development, 69, 848-872.
